US makes progress in MS13 ‘terrorism’ case by apprehending sixth leader

The recent arrest of a senior MS13 leader, Fredy Iván Jandrés Parada, also known as “Lucky de Parkview,” in San Diego, California has provided prosecutors with an opportunity to gain insight into the relationship between the gang’s highest-ranking members and officials behind El Salvador’s gang crackdown. Lucky, a member of the MS13’s National Council, had been on the run since 2018 and was described as one of the most senior leaders of the gang worldwide. He was charged alongside 13 other gang leaders with crimes related to terrorism, including directing acts of violence and negotiating with Salvadoran government officials.

With several top MS13 leaders now detained in the United States, prosecutors have the opportunity to extract information that could shed light on the gang’s relations with the Salvadoran government. Allegations have been made that MS13 leaders negotiated corrupt deals with high-ranking members of President Nayib Bukele’s government. For example, it is alleged that El Crook, another member of the Ranfla Nacional, was freed from jail in El Salvador by high-level government officials after a wave of gang killings. Testimony from Lucky, Crook, and other leaders in US custody could be key to proving these alleged negotiations between the Bukele administration and the gangs.

In early 2022, President Bukele announced a state of emergency aimed at crushing the gangs, which led to a significant decrease in homicide rates and improved public perceptions of security. However, critics have raised concerns about arbitrary detentions, poor prison conditions, and the relatively small number of top gang leaders detained under the emergency measures. The United States believes that MS13 leaders negotiated corrupt deals with Salvadoran government officials, and with several key leaders now in US custody, there is an opportunity to extract crucial information on these relationships.

The United States has had to rely on arrests on US soil or extraditions of Salvadoran gang leaders from outside El Salvador, as the country has resisted US requests for the extradition of senior gang members. Reports have alleged that Bukele negotiated with gangs prior to implementing the state of emergency, although the Salvadoran government has denied these allegations. In an investigation into the government’s crackdown, no evidence was found that the Bukele administration had dealings with gangs since the state of emergency was implemented in March 2022. The extradition of MS13 leaders from outside El Salvador and their subsequent detainment in the US could provide key information on these alleged negotiations.

The arrests of top MS13 leaders like Lucky and El Crook could provide prosecutors with valuable information on the gang’s activities and its relationships with government officials. With the majority of criminal cases in the US resulting in plea agreements, where defendants provide information in exchange for leniency, there is a possibility that these detained gang leaders could provide crucial testimony. By cooperating with US authorities, these leaders could potentially reveal the extent of their negotiations with the Bukele administration and shed light on the inner workings of the MS13 leadership.