Sombra Negra

The Sombra Negra (Spanish for "Black Shadow"), also known as El Clan de Planta ("The Plant Clan"), are (as of 2014) death squad groups based in El Salvador, allegedly composed mostly of police and military personnel, that target criminals and gang members for vigilante justice. The name first appeared around December 1989 in the Department of San Miguel. By April 1995, the group had stated that it had killed seventeen persons, claiming that those killed were criminals or members of gangs. These vigilante groups are based in El Salvador. The government of El Salvador insists the groups are not under its control.

Sombra Negra members typically blindfolded and tied the hands and/or thumbs of their victims behind their backs. Sombra Negra targets both MS-13 and its rival 18th Street Gang.

As of 2014, an increase in gang violence following the collapse of a gang truce has sparked a revival of activity for these death squads.

Only 19 days into January 2019, El Salvador had already seen 200 murders across the country. Sombra Negra claimed that all the murders were caused by gang activity. They claim that the common people are tired of the constant murders and mourning and label the gangs as terrorists.

The death squad has expanded its area of operation to El Salvador’s neighboring countries of Honduras and Guatemala to rid the three countries of the Northern Triangle.

Notable killings

In 2014, the year Sombra Negra reemerged, members of the death squad dressed in all black clothing armed with M16 assault rifles raided a house of seven people, four of whom being members of MS-13. The four members were captured and tortured by Sombra Negra. All four were then killed with a single bullet to the back of the head. A few days following the attack, leaflets were posted in El Salvador demanding members of MS-13 to “leave within five days or face certain death.”

On 25 January 2019, Sombra Negra murdered two members of MS-13. The first was in Paraíso de Osorio, La Paz, where police found the gang member's corpse in a creek with his hands tied behind his back, legs tied together, gagged, and a bullet in his head. Next to the body was a sign which read "La Sombra Negra ha llegado a Paraíso de Osorio. Ratas de la MS llegó su fin." (The Sombra Negra has arrived to Paraíso de Osorio. MS rats your time has come). The second was in San Jorge, San Miguel, with the body found in similar conditions.

Notable killings

See also

References