The defining feature of El Salvador’s young mareros is their head-to-toe tattoos. Like Old Lin, nearly all gang members sport body art declaring their allegiance to either the Salvatrucha or Barrio 18. The inkings are indirectly responsible for much of the country’s violence, as they effectively paint a bull’s-eye on the body of any young gangster who wanders into territory controlled by rival mara. But they may also make collusion between the gangs more likely.
