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

2. 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)

3. 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

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

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

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

7. Different intervening factors

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

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

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

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

12. 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

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

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

15. Relational level Problematic families Dysfunctional families
Negligence
Child abuse

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

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

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

19. Thank you...