The Sureños, or Sur for short, are a Hispanic street gang with origins in Southern California, connected with the Mexican Mafia prison organization. Opposing the Mexican Mafia is the Nuestra Familia, which similarly has spawned a street chapter, the Norteños.

Gang identification

The Sureños were the first gang to make use of gang colors to distinguish themselves from other gangs. The state of California prison system provided railroad handkerchiefs to inmates in two standard colors: red or blue. Hispanic inmates from Southern California selected or claimed the blue bandanas to identify themselves. Once a member of the Sureños "graduates" off the street and into the prison system they are designated a part of the Mexican Mafia organization.

The Sureños identify themselves with the number thirteen, using decimal or Roman numerals, or a combination of both, ie: 13, XIII or X3 and other creative means of symbolism -- this signifies the 13th letter of the alphabet, the letter M, meaning "La Eme" or "The M": the Mexican Mafia. Numerals are also incorporated into the tattoos, such as the "three dots" tattoo which is the representation for the number three within the Aztec numeral system.

The Norteños, who rival the Sureños, identify themselves with the number fourteen, representing the letter N, the 14th letter of the alphabet. Sureños are known for the "Shoot to Kill" code of honor against the Norteños and the African American gangs.