Delinquency rate rise in Guatemala

11-29-2010 08:40 BJT

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Narcotics trafficking has affected a string of Central American countries for years, as more local gangs have become involved. Our correspondent went to Guatemala for a closer look at the nation's gang phenomenon.

Every day, 13 to 17 Guatemalans die because of violence. Guatemala's murder rate more than triples that of Mexico's, according to United Nations investigators. Many put the blame on the most obvious target -- the various gangs that have populated most of the city streets for more than a decade.

Hector Roche, Lawyer, said, "We are increasingly worried about this phenomenon because these gangs are no longer the youth we saw 10 years ago. Now we see that crime mafias are using our youth."

These gangs began as a space for adolescents to come together in their neighborhoods. As Central America has increasingly become a transit route for drug trafficking between South America and The United States, many of the local gangs are used to smuggle arms and drugs. The most feared of the gangs is called Mara Salvatruchas. Some estimate there are between 100 and 140 thousand mareros, in the Central American region.

Juan Ochoa, Guatemala City Resident, said, "The gangs affect us because they do not let us prosper! Many stores face extortion. And this affects the Guatemalan economy, not only the poor man, but the rich too."

Apart from drug trafficking, daily robberies and extortions are common in everyday life.

Mriela, Ariela, Guatemala City Resident, said, "They are controlling our neighborhood. Here on this street, the man who owns that store was killed, because he did not want to pay a tax. I have been living here for 3 years look there is the man who sells bread. Mr. Baker! See him, the gangs assaulted him. They stole 600 US dollars from him."

According to Guatemala's National Statistics Institute, death by a firearm is the primary cause of death in the capital city. The victims are usually between the ages of 20 and 24.

Julio, Guatemala City Resident, said, "I've been assaulted, shot at, and robbed of my phone."

The poor and rich alike are victims of the delinquency and violence that continues to grow in this Central American nation. While police security is something the majority of Guatemalans ask for, others look at social issues as the root of the problem.

Marielos MonzÓn, "Conditions of poverty and inequality are what fuel this crisis. The gangs and youth groups were once a place to engage in recreation, now these drug traffickers manipulate them."

"Unfortunately, inequality is not hard to find in Guatemala, a country with the highest number of private jets per capita in Latin America, but where 1 out 2 children, under the age of 5, suffer from chronic malnutrition. Michelle Begue, CCTV, Guatemala."