Sombra Negra
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For the character from the F-Zero video game series, see List of F-Zero pilots (Black Shadow).
Sombra Negra (Spanish for "Black Shadow") is a vigilante group comprised mostly of police and military personnel who target criminals and gang members for vigilante justice. The volunteer group is based in El Salvador and is not under the official jurisdiction of the Salvadoran government. The Salvadoran government officially denies all sponsorship and involvement in the activities of Sombra Negra. This vigilante group was most active during the 1980's, involved in extreme-right movements against the communist revolution.
It is rumored that Sombra Negra was organized to punish crime and to deliver immediate "vigilante justice" to criminal elements without having to go through the regular processes of law. The rationale behind this "self-appointed executioner of justice" mindset is that the civil judicial system is either limited or incapable of dealing with such criminal elements.
[edit] Targeting Mara Salvatrucha
Sombra Negra hunts down and executes all types of criminals, but it is well known for its specialty in pursuing and executing members of the notorious El Salvador-based street gang Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13,MS, or La M). The MS-13 gang is considered the most dangerous street gang in the United States by sectors of the U.S. law enforcement community. Nevertheless, Sombra Negra is rumored to match the MS-13 and possibly even surpass them in terms of violence and brutality. Sombra Negra has already claimed responsibility for the deaths of several MS-13 members in El Salvador. It is reported that members of MS-13 are so intimidated by the Sombra Negra that there have been several documented incidents where MS-13 members have attempted to hide their membership in the MS-13 by pouring acid on their MS-13 tattoos (which identifies them as MS-13 members) and then using a cheese grater to scrape off the skin. Many members of MS-13 in the United States are illegal immigrants, and are afraid of being deported back to El Salvador because they fear they will face certain punishment and/or execution at the hands of Sombra Negra upon their return.
