Chicago Saturday, June 14th, 2025
Top MS-13 Leader Captured in International Operation
In a major breakthrough, Salvadoran police and U.S. law enforcement arrested Fredy Iván Jandres-Parada, a top leader of the notorious MS-13 gang. Jandres-Parada, also known as “Lucky,” was a high-ranking member of the gang’s leadership council.
Crimes and Accusations
Authorities accuse Jandres-Parada of directing:
- Extortion: Forcing people to pay money under threat
- Drug Trafficking: Selling and distributing illegal drugs
- Murders: Ordering killings across Central America and the U.S.
International Cooperation
The arrest was a result of months of intelligence tracking and cooperation between Salvadoran and U.S. authorities. The U.S. Treasury had previously frozen Jandres-Parada’s assets, designating him as a “Specially Designated Narcotics Trafficker.”
Impact and Significance
This capture is a significant blow to MS-13’s command structure, following the 2023 arrest of another top leader. Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele praised the operation as a victory in his “war on gangs,” which has led to over 75,000 suspected gang members being detained since 2022.
