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Part 6: Alex Sanchez on Latino Gangs Copying the 92 Watts Truce, Leadership Got Locked Up After
Part 4: Alex Sanchez on MS-13 Adopting Face Tats: Face Tattoos Didn't Give You Better Credibility
Part 1: Alex Sanchez on Fleeing El Salvador & Getting Jumped into MS-13, Details Gang's Origins
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Alex Sanchez provided a rare glimpse into the roots of one of Los Angeles' most infamous gang rivalries: the deadly conflict between MS-13 and 18th Street. Initially, these gangs maintained a cordial relationship, largely due to 18th Street's pioneering decision to allow Salvadorians to join, a contrast to other predominantly Mexican gangs. The friendship faltered when a tragic incident in the early '90s sparked a cycle of retaliatory violence—the death of Sanchez's friend Shaggy marked its inception. Sanchez recalled how interconnected the two gangs were: members lived in close quarters, had familial ties, and even children together. This familiarity intensified the conflict, culminating in a bloody war that turned neighborhoods into battlegrounds. The violence also escalated with the influx of high-intensity weapons. Despite the upheaval, 18th Street maintained a larger presence. The ensuing war was characterized by frequent drive-bys and increased police crackdowns.
