Transnational Rumors

A Ghostly Presence Of The MS-13 And 18th Street Gangs Across The Americas

Abstract

These reflections analyze the transnational rumors about the MS-13 and Barrio 18 gangs, and their social, political, and economic impact in Central America, Mexico, and the United States. An initial point for constructing this essay was the need to reclaim anthropological literature to understand the influence of these rumors. Through classical and contemporary anthropological literature, it is explained how the notions of “spectrality” and “ghostly presence” help to understand why the rumor of the “transnational gang member” is so effective in magnifying certain fears. Additionally, through the analysis of interviews, news, and sensationalist images collected between 2017 and 2018, it is revealed how these rumors legitimize securitization and border control policies, reflecting social anxieties and justifying the use of extreme force by the police and military. The militarization of security forces and human rights abuses are consequences of these policies. Rumors dehumanize migrants, fuel xenophobia, and justify stricter security measures. Images of tattooed youth, taken out of context, reinforce negative stereotypes. This essay argues that rumors, although they are alternative narratives of political expression for marginalized populations, are strongly influenced by the political economy of securitization operating in the region. Addressing the deep-rooted causes of migration and violence, such as poverty and inequality, is vital to counteract the narratives of fear and criminalization.