Adonay “Bandito” Quiñones
Adonay Quiñones was born in a dingy hospital on the outskirts of San Salvador, El Salvador, on March 12, 2007. His childhood was a nightmare; his father, Gustavo Quiñones, was a ruthless MS-13 member known for running machete attacks on rivals. His mother, Estela, was a devout believer in La Bestia, clinging to the twisted hope that the demon would protect their family from the ever-present violence. When Adonay was just 5, his father was gunned down by a rival 18th Street gang on the streets of Soyapango.After his father’s death, Estela spiraled into a deep depression, and her belief in La Bestia grew stronger. She would leave offerings, sometimes blood, at makeshift altars, all while neglecting Adonay, leaving him to fend for himself on the streets. By age 8, he was running small errands for local Mara cliques, like transporting drugs or keeping an eye on police movements.At 12, Adonay moved to Los Santos with his mother, who was trying to escape the ghosts of El Salvador. They landed in East Los, where they struggled to make ends meet. The streets of Los Santos, however, were no safer than the ones they had left behind. The local MS-13 cliques welcomed Adonay into the fold, knowing his father's reputation back in El Salvador. They saw the anger boiling within him, waiting to explode. He earned the nickname “Bandito” after stealing a rival's gun at 13 during a botched deal. That single act solidified his place among his homies.Adonay embraced La Bestia just like his mother, believing the demonic figure guided him through every violent encounter. His belief became twisted and stronger with each year. By 16, Adonay was known for his violent tendencies, always carrying a machete like his father did. He was fearless, willing to spill blood for the clique and his fallen familia. Now a shot-caller for the younger soldiers of his Mara Salvatrucha set, Adonay is still haunted by his past but driven by his hunger for power and control over the streets of Los Santos.
