SUMMARY

M18 was notorious for its systematic use of violence to control territories and instill fear within civilian populations across the regions where it operated, including those perceived as sympathetic to rival gangs. This violence was aimed at gaining and maintaining territorial dominance, as well as discouraging any resistance or cooperation with authorities.

The violence perpetrated by M18 against civilians encompassed a range of tactics, including targeted killings, executions, extortion, and physical assaults. Business owners, street vendors, and residents were frequently forced to pay protection money under threat of violence or death, with non-compliance resulting in severe punishment, including physical assaults, destruction of property, or murder. Retaliation against civilians perceived to have collaborated with law enforcement or rival groups was also a recurrent practice, with informants, witnesses, and their families targeted for violent attacks that included murder.

The gang's use of one-sided violence was documented across multiple countries, including Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and the United States.

M18 first became active as a one-sided actor in UCDP data in 2023, when the one-sided violence resulted in 25 civilian deaths. The threshold was reached in November of 2023, when a 15th birthday party in Amatitlán, Guatemala was interrupted by a shooting that resulted in four fatalities.