Got ‘Real Hasta la Muerte’ Ink? Anuel AA’s Neck Tattoo Just Got Flagged by the Government as Gang-Related—Here’s What We Know
The title of Anuel AA’s first album might cause fans trouble if they have it tattooed on their bodies. The U.S. government released a list of tattoos associated with the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. Unfortunately for some of Anuel AA’s fans, “Real Hasta la Muerte” made the list of tattoos identified as gang-related.
Unfortunately, some tattoos are synonymous with gang activity. The tattoos, often loaded with symbolism, tell stories and, in some cases, rank within the gang. These tattoos also make it easy for law enforcement to identify gang members and the gangs they are associated with. This makes the inclusion of “Real Hasta la Muerte” a potential problem for fans.
Law enforcement is identifying Tren de Aragua’s tattoos, and Anuel AA comes to mind
Both federal and state governments have been working to lessen gang activity in the U.S. The federal government has put resources into targeting gang activity, especially with MS-13. Political campaigns have run on the threat of MS-13 and the dangers to average American citizens.
Tattoos are one way that law enforcement has been able to identify members of other gangs. In September 2024, the U.S. government released a list of tattoos that they believe identify members of Tren de Aragua.
“Real Hasta la Muerte” is Anuel AA’s debut album, released on July 17, 2018. The album reached the No. 1 position on the Billboard U.S. Top Latin Music Album charts. Anuel AA is a big fan of the phrase because his highly anticipated upcoming album is Real Hasta la Muerte 2.
Anuel AA has the phrase and album title tattooed on his neck. The album title has been a popular tattoo for Anuel AA fans.
Anuel AA has proudly displayed this phrase on his neck for years
TikTok user Carlos Eduardo Espina laid out the implications of having this tattoo. The connection between the tattoo and Tren de Aragua could now result in arrest and detention.
According to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) website, Operation Raging Bull allows law enforcement to arrest people with gang tattoos. The operation is part of the federal government’s attempt to crack down on transnational criminal organizations. Law enforcement and immigration authorities have used tattoos to target suspected gang members.
“Individuals are confirmed as gang members if they admit membership in a gang; have been convicted of violating Title 18 USC 521 or any other federal or state law criminalizing or imposing civil consequences for gang-related activity; or if they meet certain other criteria such as having tattoos identifying a specific gang or being identified as a gang member by a reliable source,” reads the ICE website.
Tren de Aragua has been growing in the U.S.
Tren de Aragua is a Venezuelan gang that started to set roots in the U.S. in the early 2020s. The gang was first identified as operating in Chicago and Miami, with an ever-increasing reach. Telemundo Chicago reported that Tren de Aragua has been on law enforcement radar since October 2023.
According to the New York Post, the gang has grown rapidly within the U.S. Currently, there is confirmed Tren de Aragua activity in 16 states, including California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. There is also activity in Washington, D.C.
