Factors associated with Central American Gangs José Miguel Cruz Florida International University

The Central American gangs problem More than 70,000 members in the northern Central American region (Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras) Members are 13 to 30 years old They usually are from the impoverished urban neighbourhoods Youth gangs are involved in serious crime issues: murder, drug trafficking, extortion, kidnappings They are basically a confederation of small groups or cliques unified by same identity Two major gangs: Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and Eighteenth Street Gang (18)

The Central American Gangs Not a recent phenomenon The result of processes socially built Gangs react to ecological conditions Different expressions and nuances They are the result of different interacting factors

Mara Salvatrucha and 18th Street Gang members celebrating their peace agreement in San Martin, San Salvador, 1996.

Gang members in Salvadoran prisons, 2006 (Photographs by Isabel Muñoz)

Gang members in Salvadoran prisons, 2006 (Photographs by Isabel Muñoz)

Different intervening factors

Societal level Social exclusion processes Social and economic deprivation Communities without social services Lack of opportunities School dropout Unemployment

Societal level Culture of violence Socialization patterns Education Cultural models of interpersonal relationships Cultural permissiviness toward guns

Societal level Rapid and urban growth Urban growth Residential overcrowding Lack of leisure spaces in the city Precarious and inefficient social services

Societal level Migration Circular migration between the US and Central America Deportation policies Imported US gang model

Societal level State policies Zero tolerance policies without appropriate institutional framework Lack of prevention programs Electorally driven policies Use of paramilitary groups and extralegal measures to tackle gangs Lack of oversight and control

Community level Community desorganization No grassroot movement concerning public security Low interpersonal trust Lack of participation in community decisions

Community level Drugs and weapons Drugs and alcohol abuse Drugs trafficking Availability of guns

Relational level Problematic families Dysfunctional families Negligence Child abuse

Relational level Friends and peers involved in gangs Community gangs Gangs at school Family members in gangs

Relational level Dynamic of violence Spiral of violence Identities that resort to violence

Personal level Youngsters in critical stage of development Identity formation problems Search of identity using violence Search of autonomy using violence

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