Over 1000 Arrested in
Guatemala
Over a thousand persons
have been arrested en
Guatemala since the new
government kicked off a
security plan in the
so-called red zones of
this capital.
National Civilian Police
deputy director Henry
Lopez said 15 percent of
the people now under
custody had been wanted
for different crimes,
including murder, theft
and extortion.
Another 32 illegal
immigrants were detained
and deported to their
country of origin.
Since the security plan
started 10 days ago,
Police forces have
recovered 46 stolen
vehicles (41 cars and 5
motorbikes), and
confiscated 119 fire
arms.
According to a report by
the Mutual Support
Group, violence in
Guatemala has left
11,483 death over the
last four years.
The Oscar Berger
(2004-2008)
administration's efforts
to reduce criminality
proved useless, mainly
because of police
corruption, the
humanitarian
organization said.
Current president Alvaro
Colom kicked off a
100-day government plan
to fight poverty and
violence right after his
presidential
inauguration on January
14.
According to the Mutual
Support Group, the new
government will have to
create jobs, and
implement education,
health and house
programs, in order to
prevent ordinary
citizens to seek gang
memberships as the only
way of survival. |
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