The crime in el Salvador

The crime in El Salvador

Organized crime in El Salvador is a serious problem. They have not made sufficient efforts to understand or deal with this phenomenon in this small Central American country.

El Salvador experiences some of the highest homicide rates in Latin America; It is also considered the epicenter of the gang crisis, along with Guatemala and Honduras. In response, the government has numerous programs to try to guide young gang membership; so far their efforts have not produced any rapid results. One of the government's reform program was a band called Super Mano Dura ("Super Firm Hand"). Super Mano Dura had little success and was widely criticized by the UN. Saw temporary success in 2004, but then saw a rise in crime after 2005. In 2004, the rate of intentional homicides per 100,000 inhabitants was 41, with 60% of murders to be gang-related.

The government of El Salvador reported that the Super Mano Dura gang legislation led to a 14% drop in murders in 2004. However, El Salvador currently has 65 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants, more than triple the current rate of Mexico . There are an estimated 25,000 gang members in El Salvador in general with other 9,000 in jail.

Gangs and violence

Gangs generally contribute to high levels of social violence in El Salvador. They involved in several serious crimes that terrorize and paralyze society. Murder and extortion are the most publicized crime that has spread throughout Central America. There are different forms of violence built in El Salvador, like politics, everyday, gender and structural violence. The war in El Salvador built with political violence El Salvador should have every day.

Reasons to join gangs

Salvadoran youth decide to join a gang for several reasons. Sometimes this is seen as an option, but also because of the feeling of neglect and abandonment of family or not belong to any party, except when violence occurs. Juan Fogelbach argues that general risk factors associated with gang membership are: poverty, family disintegration or separation, abandonment, violent domestic environment, unemployment, lack of opportunities and educational development, and of members of the family in gangs. The presence of one or more of these factors can force a teenager or a child turn to gangs in the hope of finding a family atmosphere, social status and economic opportunities.

Impact on youth

Some members of criminal gangs "jumped" or having to prove his loyalty by committing acts such as theft or violence. Youth gangs are a major source of concern for society. Orientation youth builds a cycle of violence, where fear becomes a legitimizing agent of greater repression and puts the emphasis on youth, and away from other types of embedded violence.

Types of violence

Violence against women, domestic violence, verbal abuse, physical abuse, assault, extortion, among others.

How you can eradicate violence?

Promote education for the full value of your home, invest in education programs for children and youth in their spare time for parents to be more responsible in raising their children and to increase security in the country.