Central America’s Maras: Public policies and best practices

• Main Authors: Elsa Falkenburger, Geoff Thale
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Barcelona Centre for International Affairs (CIDOB) 2008-04-01
• Series: Revista CIDOB d'Afers Internacionals
• Subjects: Central America; United States; youth; violence; specific experiences; crime
• Online Access: http://www.cidob.org/es/content/download/6945/69409/file/falkenburger_81.pdf

In recent years, youth gangs in Central America have become a significant focus of great attention, both in the region itself and in the United States. Nevertheless, there is a general lack of understanding as to who they are, why they form and how best to tackle the violence and crime that are commonly associated with their activities. Generally speaking, the local authorities have opted for repressive, hard-line policies to eliminate the problem. However, these policies have proved counter-productive, and recent studies have shown that the most effective way of reducing the high rates of crime and violence caused by youth gangs is to develop policies aimedat prevention, so as to tackle directly the causes that lead young people to join these gangs.