Here. Salvatrucha: Also known as MS-13, this is one of several gangs mentioned in the book, and one that exists both in the U.S. (it originated in Los Angeles in the 1980s) and El Salvador, where many of its members are from. Like most gangs, it often uses extortion, which it calls “tax” or “rent,” to get money from people, and if they refuse to pay, they or their family members can be killed.
Here. The 18th: Another particularly violent gang which also started in the States, sometimes known as the 18th Street Gang, Barrio 18, or Mara 18 (mara means gang, and mareros are gang members).
Here. Pupusa: A thick corn tortilla stuffed with a savory filling.
Here. El Meche: This character’s name means “lock of hair.”
Here. Federales: This refers to a particular police force in Mexico, typically heavily armed, and is not the same as the U.S. slang term feds, although they are sometimes referred to as “the Mexican feds” by the U.S. media and law enforcement agents.
Here. The Zetas: A notorious drug cartel from Mexico, one of the largest in the country, which was founded by corrupt members of the military and police.
Here. Música norteña: A Mexican genre of music, similar to corridos and polka, named for its northern origins and featuring accordions, the bajo sexto (Mexican “sixth bass”), and a stately dance beat.
Here. Punta: A dance and style of music with African beats, originally from the Central American coast of Belize, Honduras, and Guatemala.
Here. Jocote: A kind of flowering plant in the same family as the cashew. Its fruit is popular in Central America, and is often eaten when still green, with a sprinkling of salt and lime juice. The flavor of a jocote fruit is said to be similar to a plum—sweet, with a slightly acidic aftertaste.
Here. La Bestia (The Beast): Also known as the tren de la muerte (the train of death) and the tren de los desconocidos (the train of the unknown ones), this is a network of freight trains crossing Mexico, frequently used by migrants of all ages traveling from Central America to the United States. It makes for a very dangerous journey, and many people die along the way by falling off or getting decapitated.