Gang Violence in Central and Southern America

1. Gang Violence in Central and Southern America Amanda Gorgenson, Ian McElfish, Julie Schulcz, Keegan Butters, Kenya Davis, Kyle Butts, Steven Dutcher, and Michael McCoy.

2. El Salvador

3. El Salvador • El Salvador (meaning “The Savior” in Spanish): • Population: 7.2 million people • ~90% Mestizo (European/Indigenous heritage) • San Salvador • Capital/Largest City • Average of 11 murders a day • Large corruption problem within government and with police of the country

4. Civil War (1980-1992) • San Salvador government vs. FarabundoMartí National Liberation Front (FMLN). • Left a violent impact on the youth that were left behind from parents who fled El Salvador at the beginning of the Civil War • War was in the context of the cold war • Fight against communism • 75,000 killed • Approx. 700,000 refugees fled to U.S.

5. Civil War (1980-1992)…

6. Gangs of El Salvador • MS-13 • 18th Street Gang • MS-13 (Mara-Salvatrucha 13) • “Mara” (meaning “gang” in Spanish) “Salvatrucha” (term used to honor Salvadoran peasants trained as guerilla fighters) • 13 (“trece” Spanish for 13) • Honors the Mexican Mafia signifying the thirteenth letter of the alphabet “M” • Created in Los Angeles during 1980’s • High propensity for violence • Initiation • Kill a member of the 18’s • 13 count beat in “uno, dos, tres…” • May last longer than 13 seconds depending on how well you are liked by the gang • Sexed In (women only) • Biggest and fastest growing gang on the planet • 18th Street Gang (Barrio 18) • Gang created in Los Angeles in 1959 • Extremely Violent • Rivalry between 18’s and MS-13 • Initiation • Kill a member of MS-13 • 18 count beat in • Women no longer allowed to be initiated in as new recruits • Outnumbered by MS-13

7. Gangs of El Salvador Origin Back Home (post 1992) • Developed to protect refugees of El Salvador from other gangs already established in Los Angeles. • Gangs based off racial prejudices • These racial tensions were present amongst all races of newly arrived immigrants • New immigration laws in US • 1990’s • New laws led to deportation of illegal immigrants for even minor convictions in the US • This return of gang members gave way to a new platform for the gangs to recruit new members • The deportation of these gang members led to a newly established gang population in the war-torn El Salvadoran streets • The tensions between MS-13 and the 18’s are so strong that each member obligated to kill any and all opposing gang members that they encounter on or off of their territories known as “clickas” or “barrios” • The games are organized in a decentralized fashion of “clickas” • Insubordination to fulfill missions of robbing or killing can result in brutal beating of 13 or 18 counts respectively • Also grounds to be killed by ones own gang

8. Gangs of El Salvador: Funding MS-13/18 Street Gang • Extortion and Racketeering of local businesses • Offer protection in exchange for “taxes” • Drug Trafficking • Cocaine • Crack Cocaine • Powder Cocaine HCL • Methamphetamine • Pseudoephedrine • Ephedrine • Marijuana • Heroin • Prostitution • Fraud • Counterfeiting • Identity Documentation Forgery • Human trafficking • Kidnapping • Murder • Rape • Gang member are not a permitted to sell drugs for personal usage to their own members they commonly refer to as “homeboys”. • Reason being that drug addicts may wander into enemies territory looking for more drugs and get killed • Disobedience to this can result in gang beatings of 13 or 18 counts respectively • Gang members in the United States are given orders in regards to killings or other gang related businesses from higher ranking members living in El Salvador

9. MS-13 Darker shades of red represent stronger presence within region Growing presence in regions throughout the world Considered world’s fastest growing gang Approx. 30,000-40,000 members 22,00 members in El Salvador Individual sets are controlled by shot-callers who collect “taxes” from both their businesses and other members of the gang with lower rankings.

10. MS-13 (cont.) Gang members of MS-13 commonly have tattoos all over their bodies representing their loyalty to the gang

11. Gangs of El Salvador: 18’s Eighteenth Street Gang • Approx. 12,000 members in El Salvador • Growing international gang with known presence in 32 US states • 18th Street has a structure made up of “ranfla” (national leaders), “runers” (leaders with no tattoos, strong discipline, and the responsibility for committing homicides, and trafficking drugs and weapons), and missionaries (clickas gang members).

12. 18th Street Gang 18’s are also easily identified by gang tattoos Tattoos enable them to represent their gang for life

13. Gangs of El Salvador Both MS-13 and 18’s have women in the gangs that are just as active as the men New gang rules imposed by top 18th street gang leaders state that women are not allowed to be initiated as new recruits anymore

14. Gangs of El Salvador World Presence • MS-13 and the 18’s can be found in almost all Central American countries, and within a majority of the United States • Extremely violent and willing to kill anyone perceived as either a threat or rival gang member

15. Brazil

16. History of Gangs • Rise in gangs, violence & drug trafficking began in the early 1980s • Neglect of the poor neighborhoods during Brazils dictatorship period lead to the rise of gangs • Brazilian government used a form of isolation and exclusion of favelas from major cities • Many people turned to gangs for protection

17. More History • Drug trafficking helped many gangs rise to power • Police have more difficulty entering poor neighborhoods due to the rise in gangs and the distrust in law enforcement • Corrupt law officials helped strengthen the dominance of gangs • Today inadequate governmental officials, a lack of resources to address the socioeconomic problems and a insufficient law enforcement force allow gangs to still be around and in charge

18. Major Gangs of Brazil • Amigos dos Amigos • Comando Vermelho (Red Command) • Tarceiro Comando Puro (Pure Third Command) • Primeiro Comando da Capital (First Capital Command) • Capixaba Mafia

19. Amigos dos Amigos • Grew out of conflict between the Red Command and the Pure Third Command • Controls North and West zones of Rio de Janeiro (Rocinha) • Drugs critical source of power & wealth

20. Comando Vermelho • Largest and oldest organized gang in Brazil • Established in Rio de Janeiro in 1970's • Major trafficker of weapons and drugs • Began as a gang in Cândido Mendes prison • Had very strict code of conduct for members • Punishments (such as death) for violators • Maintain control this way • Originally composed of members of the Falange Vermelha (Red Phalanx) • This militant group was strong in it’s fight against the Brazilian military dictatorship (1964 to 1985)

21. Tarceiro Comando Puro • Originally founded by dissidents of the Red Command • therefore these two gangs are major rivals • Fighting between gangs often occurs for supremacy in the slums and throughout the extensive prison system in Brazil • 360,000 prisoners (4th largest in the world) • 922 prisons

22. Primeiro Comando da Capital • Founded August 31, 1993, in Taubate Prison in Sao Paulo • Began as prison gang, but transformed into a terrorist criminal organization • Members utilize a “baptism” ritual as means of induction into the gang, similar to the Mafia organizations within the U.S. • Goals of the PCC were outlined in the group's sixteen point manifesto written in 1993 • To fight injustice and oppression in the prison system • To maintain strict discipline among members • To expand beyond Sao Paulo prisons to national spotlight

23. Capixaba Mafia • Criminal organization from the Espírito Santo state of Brazil • A person born in this state is known as a “Capixaba” which literally translates to “Holy Spirit” • Specializes generally in money-laundering endeavors

24. The Communities • People are terrified to walk the streets at any time • Neighborhoods are marked with violence and violation of human rights • Violence in the favelas increases when police try to take action

25. Government Help • There has been a crackdown on corrupt officers in the recent months • More than 33 officers arrested • The clean up operation, taken place w/ the government forces • Equally severe law enforcement strategy directly targeting drug gangs • Government seeking to re-establish control over the urban slums by sending in special operations force • Government improving living conditions of slums so people can stop depending on gangs • Dealing with financial pressures from the state and bribes and threats from drug traffickers make it extremely difficult for leaders to take stand against the local gangs • Government is making progress in clearing Brazil of its gangs • Rid over 3 dozen communities in Rio de Janeiro of its drug gangs and installed permanent police forces

26. Community Help • In order to reduce corrupt officials, many are purposely recruited right out of the police academy (before any bribes can be made) • Many Brazilians are contributing to a social movement for political change • Brazilian artist are coming up with compositions to support Brazils movement to eliminate gangs and drug trafficking • Raise awareness of socioeconomic issues of their country in their demand for change

27. Peruvian Gangs

28. Table of Contents Introduction Gangs of Peru: Overview History and Formation of Peruvian Gangs Peru’s Political and Socioeconomic Conditions Current Events on Peruvian Gangs Conclusion

29. Introduction There are hundreds of Peruvian gangs that have thousands of members affiliated to them. Most Peruvian gangs are found within the regions of Peru’s major cities: Lima, Huancayo, Trujillo, Arequipa, Cusco, Chimbote, Chiclayo, Iquitos, and Huamanga. Lima is the capital and largest city of Peru, so the vast majority of Peruvian gangs will migrate and establish themselves here. Peruvian gangs engage in all kinds of criminal activities such as drug, human and weapon trafficking, money laundering, terrorism, violence, and guerilla warfare.

30. Gangs of Peru • Not a whole lot of research is done on Peruvian gangs in particular, so research and data can be difficult to find. • Police have difficulty obtaining data and statistics for many Peruvian gangs since there’s so many of them out there. Only the larger, more notorious gangs are noticed by police and civilians. • Peruvian gangs vary from guerilla organizations, to street gangs, to youth-oriented gangs. Street gang members typically range from 13-24 years of age, while youth-oriented gangs mostly involve children and teens 8-16 years old. • Initiation into Peruvian gangs include the same criteria that most other gangs follow across the globe. This includes blood-in, beat-in, jump-in, assault, murder, rape, and blood-out.

31. Gangs of Peru Continued… • Street Level – Los Pandillas, Malditos de Castilla, Bandas, Los Alamos, Latin Kings, Los Diablos, Cirujanos, La Muralla, and Los Pishtakos are some of the more famous Peruvian Street gangs. • Youth Gangs (Street Children) - Pájaro frutero, and pirañitas. These particular gangs work in packs by stalking their prey and mugging them in groups. The victims become overwhelmed and end up losing anything in their possession.

32. Guatemala

33. History of Gangs in Guatemala • Guatemala has long since been known as one of the most violent countries in the region of Latin America, as well as the world. • The Homicide rate in 2008 was 48 murders per 100,000 people, in contrast with the 5.7 murders per 100,000 people in the United States.

34. History of Gangs in Guatemala… • The most widely accepted reason for the abundance of gangs throughout Guatemala is the United States. • In the 1970’s and 80’s many family’s fled to the United States to escaped a war torn country. • Once there, many of the children got involved in gangs.

35. History of Gangs in Guatemala… The United States then started to deport Guatemalans, many of which thrived on the gang culture in the United States, more specifically Los Angeles. Because many were unable to speak Spanish or adapt to the new life style, they set up new gangs in Guatemala which have evolved into new strains and spilled over to more countries.

36. History of Gangs in Guatemala… • Most gangs make their money by self-styled taxes, in which they levy from bus-drivers, shopkeepers, homeowners, and young neighborhood girls. • They are also involved in robbery, extortion, drug dealing, human trafficking, and wars with rival gangs

37. History of Gangs in Guatemala… • On average, gang members are initiated between the years of 14 and 15.

38. Different Types of Gangs in Guatemala • Estimates cite that there are anywhere from 8,000 to 14,000 gang members throughout the country. • The two largest gangs prevalent in Guatemala are the Mara Slavatrucha (MS-13) and the Barrio 18 (18th street gang).

39. Different Types of Gangs in Guatemala… • The 18th street gang account for 15% of all gang members throughout the country. • MS-13 makes up 95 percent of the gang members within the country. • Both gangs were originally started in Los Angeles. • In 2008, 229 bus drivers, and taxi drivers were killed by gang members for not paying extortion costs.

40. Different Types of Gangs in Guatemala… • More recently, due to Mexico’s war on drugs, many Mexican gangs have crossed into Guatemala. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZrlJYZ6kNk&feature=fvwrel • One particular drug gang, known as Los Zetas have crossed into Guatemala ravaging the city and the jungle. • This gang is known as “a group of Mexican military deserters…who have kidnapped, tortured and murdered—including beheadings of law enforcement officials, innocent citizens, informants and rival drug gangs.

41. Political and Social aspects • In 2004, American and Guatemalan diplomats created a prevention program called “Tell it to Waldemar” • This program would create a corruption free police force, crime information system. It would also create an anonymous system for crime reporting. • To increase safety measures for public transportation, the government recently implemented a new system where passengers have tickets to board, and the drivers carry no cash with them.

42. Political and Social aspects… • Recently, the President has declared a state of siege, and is escalating a war against drug traffickers, more specifically against the Los Zetas. • The state of siege curtails citizen liberties and allows the military to order anyone suspected of conspiring against the government to be arrested ad imprisoned without warrant

43. Political and Social aspects… • The campaign to eradicate the gangs is known as “limpieza social”, or social cleansing. • This type of social cleansing has become so prevalent in Guatemala that many young people say it’s become dangerous to even look like you belong to a gang. • Many gang members have also eradicated the use of colors, symbols and tattoos to identify them within the gang.

44. Present Day Gangs • Currently, the gang causing most problems within the country is Los Zetas. • Recently, they stormed a remote jungle ranch and killed 27 people, beheading 25 of them. • This gangs expanded into Guatemala after murdering a local drug boss. They have recruited many Guatemalan soldiers, and many poor, indigenous citizens have also signed up.

45. Present Day Gangs… • Their priority is to move large scale drugs from Colombia, to Mexico and eventually to the United States. • It is very important to regain control of Guatemala from the gangs, if it ever wants to become a prosperous country. • “Guatemala is a very violent country. This, sadly, is our cultural response: an eye for an eye.” – longtime Human Rights monitor.

46. Columbia and Los Paisas

47. History of Los Paisas • Los Paisas begins with the paramilitary and their offer from the Colombian Government called the Justice and Peace Law. • The Justice and Peace Law allows paramilitary soldiers to lay down their weapons for no serious punishment, even though they have taken thousands of Colombian lives and helped in drug trafficking. • The goal of the Colombian Government was to demobilize the Paramilitary that was originally created in the 1960’s to help with human right violations.

48. Location of Los Pasias • Highlighted areas are where Los Pasias can be found. • The gang can is now considered an independent drug trafficking organization. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3X6SFoCNBc

49. Los Paisas Rival Gangs • Due to their Northern location by the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean there are rival gangs fighting for the same territory due to excellent coca growing and trafficking location. • These rival gangs consist of Los Rastrojos, Los Urabeños and Los AguilasNegras. • Due to rival gangs being a close facility homicide rates have increased in northern colombia

50. Present Los Paisas • Los Paisas relies highly on recruiting young members and have them murder enemies as well as Los Paisas family members to instill fear. • Cesar Augusto Torres Lujan was the leader of Los Paisas until the Colombian Police killed him in 2010. • Even though the death of Cesar Augusto Torres Lujan Los Paisas is still an active gang in Colombia.