Salvadoran Anti-Violence Plan Fails
The Salvadoran Center for Penal Research (CEPES) said administrative changes in the National Civilian Police confirmed the failure of "Super Firm Hand" to cope with juvenile violence.

Monday Rodrigo Avila was appointed to administrate the national police.

CESPED director Nelson Flores said the plan´s use of coercion instead of prevention lead to an increase in homicides (12 daily) and violence.

The PNC reported 3,395 murders in 2005 (there were 2,762 murder cases in 2004), mostly blamed on the maras youth gangs, whose numbers in Central America may be 100,000.

Many belong to the Mara Salvatrucha and Mara 18, considered the most violent gangs in the region, and conservative figures calculate in 10,000 the Maras active in El Salvador.

These gangs are dangerous because they are involved in drug and arms trafficking and in the traffic of humans.

Humanitarian organizations claim that most juvenile delinquents are unable to study or get a job, turning to violence and/or emigration as a handy solution for their problem.

San Salvador Archbishop Fernando Saenz said police and military patrols will not eradicate the scourge and urged for rehab programs for those willing to leave these groups.