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NS4540 Winter Term 2017 Gangs of El Salvador. Overview. For a long time conventional view of El Salvadoran gangs was that they followed the 3G2 gang model Violent networks in a context of A state constrained by minimal capacity Poor economic performance and
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Overview • For a long time conventional view of El Salvadoran gangs was that they followed the 3G2 gang model • Violent networks in a context of • A state constrained by minimal capacity • Poor economic performance and • Significant social, political and economic disparities • 3G2 model argues gangs grow increasingly sophisticated with time and success – Darwinian mechanism • Stage one – local community protection supported by petty crime • Stage two – criminal businesses, de-facto control of geographic areas • Stage three – international connections and penetration of governments
MS-13 Finances I • Recent NYT article “Killers on a Shoestring: Inside the Gangs of El Salvador” cast doubt on this model • In the current situation • Estimated 60,000 members in country of 6.5 million • Maintain menacing presence in 247 of countries 262 municipalities • Extort about 70% of businesses • Dislodge entire communities from homes and help propel thousands of Salvadorans to undertake dangerous journey to the US • Their violence costs El Salvador $4 billion a year • Yet closer look does not place them in same category of billion dollar Mexican, Japanese, and Russian syndicates
MS-13 Finances II • Recent wiretaps revealed MS-13 collected $600,852 in a typical week • With 40,000 members each gang member earns about $65 a month – half minimum wage of an agricultural worker • However gangs have expenses • Lawyers and funeral services • Weapons and munitions and • Support for those serving long prison terms and their families • Leaves very little for typical member • Still they hold considerable power over businesses and can be a significant detriment to investment