The State Department on Tuesday formally declared 18th Street, or Barrio 18, to be a terrorist organization, placing it alongside MS-13 and Tren de Aragua as international gangs that have deep reaches inside the U.S.

“Barrio 18 is one of the largest gangs in our hemisphere and has conducted attacks against security personnel, public officials, and civilians in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in announcing the designation.

Like its rival MS-13, the 18th Street gang emerged among Latino immigrants in Southern California in the 1980s.

It then spread south, taking hold in Central America, and is fueled by new members coming north as well as recruitment among immigrant communities already here.

Designating the group a Foreign Terrorist Organization and Specially Designated Global Terrorist expands the options the U.S. has in dealing with gang members and their activities.

President Trump has used the terrorist designations against MS-13 and TdA to speed deportations and target gang operations abroad. That includes military strikes against drug boats the administration said were run by TdA out of Venezuela.

Like MS-13, 18th Street has faced significant pressure in El Salvador, where it used to have tens of thousands of members. President Nayib Bukele’s crackdown has eviscerated both gangs.

• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.