One of the most gruesome images one can come across is that of a hacked-off limb. To shield your sensitive eyes, we decided to post this photo of a fairly innocent-looking machete. This one isn’t curved like normal ones are, but you get the point. To the friendly local satellite organizations for Central American-based gangs, the wielding of a machete carries with it more gravitas than ever before.

The AP, via WTOP, reports that the machete is becoming the weapon of choice to strike fear, seek revenge and sustain general inter-gang blood feuds. In May, the Mara Salvatruchas attacked a 16-year-old member of the South Side Locos who lost four fingers while “trying to shield his head” from machete blows. After that attack, the Mara Salvatruchas enhanced their street reputation.

“People respected MS after that attack. More gangs are going to start using machetes as a weapon,” said a 20-year-old former South Side Locos member, who did not want to be identified because he feared for his safety.

Sure enough, the MS-13s (how they are sometimes better known) struck again about earlier this month, at a Lee Highway movie theatre in Fairfax County.

(Image from Cuchillos El Azote, a Spanish-language blog that seems to have a lot of photos of sharp weaponry.)