Central America Fails to
Combat Youth Gangs
Central American
governments have failed
to use a firm hand to
fight the spread of
youth gangs, increasing
due to the lack of
opportunities for young
people, research by
international organisms
disclosed Wednesday.
The study highlights
that governments need
legislative measures and
effective application of
laws by the judicial
system to restrain the
wave of violence in the
countries of the region.
UN Programme for
Development coordinator
Rebeca Arias explained
that the study
contributes to a better
understanding of the
phenomenon, so as to
open spaces for
discussion and to design
functional and effective
policies.
Guatemala, El Salvador
and Honduras have most
gangs, called maras, in
the region, while Costa
Rica and Nicaragua have
fewer of them.
The study was carried
out by Swedish Agency
for International
Development, Central
American Bank of
Economic Integration and
the UN Programme for
Development. |
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