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105-422: [REDACTED] The Territorial Control Plan (Spanish: Plan Control Territorial , abbreviated PCT ) is an ongoing Salvadoran security and anti-gang program. The program consists of six phases and a potential seventh phase if phases one through six are unsuccessful. In 2019, the Salvadoran government estimated that the Territorial Control Plan would cost US$ 575.2 million in total. Criminal gangs have been

210-434: A common theme of the desire for power, respect, money, and protection. In neighborhoods with high levels of violence, adolescents typically experience pressure to join a street gang for protection from other violent actors (sometimes including police violence and the waging of the war on drugs ), perpetuating a cycle of violence . These desires are very influential in attracting individuals to join gangs, and their influence

315-539: A feud over territory or vendetta. Gang warfare mostly consists of sanctioned and unsanctioned hits, street fighting, and gun violence. Modern gangs introduced new acts of violence, which may also function as a rite of passage for new gang members. In 2006, 58 percent of L.A.'s murders were gang-related. Reports of gang-related homicides are concentrated mostly in the largest cities in the United States, where there are long-standing and persistent gang problems and

420-434: A form of organized crime . The word gang derives from the past participle of Old English gan , meaning ' to go ' . It is cognate with Old Norse gangr , meaning ' journey ' . While the term often refers specifically to criminal groups, it also has a broader meaning of any close or organized group of people, and may have neutral, positive or negative connotations depending on usage. In discussing

525-530: A gang as they expand and recruit new members. Most gangs operate informally with leadership falling to whoever takes control; others have distinct leadership and are highly structured, which resembles more or less a business or corporation. Criminal gangs may function both inside and outside of prison, such as the Nuestra Familia , Mexican Mafia , Folk Nation , and the Brazilian PCC . During

630-413: A gang member's color by an unaffiliated individual is regarded as grounds for violent retaliation, often by multiple members of the offended gang. Tattoos are also common identifiers, such as an '18' above the eyebrow to identify a member of the 18th Street gang . Tattoos help a gang member gain respect within their group, and mark them as members for life. Tattoos can also represent the level they are in

735-528: A gang, they instantly gain a feeling of belonging and identity; they are surrounded with individuals whom they can relate to. They have generally grown up in the same area as one another and can bond over similar needs. In some areas, joining a gang is an integrated part of the growing-up process. Gang membership is generally maintained by gangs as a lifetime commitment, reinforced through identification such as tattoos, and ensured through intimidation and coercion. Gang defectors are often subject to retaliation from

840-419: A greater number of documented gang members—most of whom are identified by law enforcement. Gang-related activity and violence has increased along the U.S. Southwest border region, as US-based gangs act as enforcers for Mexican drug cartels . Despite gangs usually formed in the community , not specifically in schools , gang violence can potentially affect schools in different ways including: Global data on

945-877: A major problem in El Salvador since the conclusion of the Salvadoran Civil War in 1992. The country's most prominent gangs include Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), the 18th Street gang (Barrio 18), Mao Mao, Miranda Loca, and La Maquina, among others. Most Salvadoran gangs were formed in the United States; some gangs, such as MS-13, were formed by refugees of the Salvadoran Civil War to protect themselves from Mexican American and African American gangs, meanwhile, other gangs, such as Barrio 18, formed as splinter groups of other gangs. Most gang members arrived in El Salvador after being deported from

1050-589: A meta-analysis of 14 countries in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Central and South America, sub-Saharan Africa and the Pacific also showed that carrying a weapon at school is associated with bullying victimization . Comparison of Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS) data on school violence and bullying for countries that are particularly affected by gang violence suggests that

1155-484: A new prison with capacity for 40,000 inmates to hold individuals arrested during the gang crackdown and to relieve overcrowding in the country's other prisons. In February 2023, Bukele posted a video on Twitter of him and members of his cabinet touring the prison, named the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), prior to his opening. Later that month, Bukele posted another video to Twitter showing

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1260-400: A person is validated as a gang member, the person is subject to increased sentences, harsher punishments (such as solitary confinement) and more restrictive parole rules. To validate a person as a gang member, the officials generally must provide evidence of several factors, such as tattoos, photographs, admissions, clothing, etc. The legal requirements for validating a person are much lower than

1365-740: A population of over 12,500 inmates. On 15 September 2023, during a speech celebrating the country's 202nd anniversary of its independence from Spain, Bukele announced the beginning of phase six of the Territorial Control Plan known as "integration". To implement phase six, Bukele announced the formation of the National Department of Integration led by Alejandro Gutman, the president of the Forever Foundation. Bukele stated that US$ 30 million would be allocated annually to fund phase six. A seventh phase of

1470-401: A process of initiation), or have to prove their loyalty and right to belong by committing certain acts, usually theft or violence. Gangs often establish distinctive, characteristic identifiers including graffiti tags colors , hand signals , clothing (for example, the gangsta rap -type hoodies), jewelry, hair styles, fingernails, slogans, signs (such as the noose and the burning cross as

1575-483: A result of confrontations between gangs and the country's security forces. In July 2021, the Platform for Citizen Security described the Territorial Control Plan as more of an "advertising strategy" (" estrategia publicitaria ") rather than a genuine security program. The group also voiced its concern regarding militarization, adding that militarization of the country's security forces was ruled as unconstitutional by

1680-793: A series of organized gangs", some of them known as the Mims, Hectors, Bugles, and Dead Boys. These gangs often came into conflict with each other. Members dressed "with colored ribbons to distinguish the different factions." During the Victorian era , criminals and gangs started to form organizations which would collectively become London's criminal underworld. Criminal societies in the underworld started to develop their own ranks and groups which were sometimes called families , and were often made up of lower-classes and operated on pick-pocketry , prostitution , forgery and counterfeiting , commercial burglary , and money laundering schemes. Unique also were

1785-728: A unique type of gang made up of members who follow the punk rock ideology . Unlike other gangs and criminal groups, punk gangs follow a range of political and philosophical beliefs that can range from alt-right to radical left . Differing ideologies are one of the causes of conflicts between rival punk gangs, compared to other street gangs and criminal groups who wage gang war solely for illegal profit, vendetta, and territory. Most of them can be seen in political and social protests and demonstrations and are sometimes in violent confrontation with law-enforcement. Examples of punk gangs are Fight For Freedom , Friends Stand United , and Straight Edge gangs. Contemporary organized crime has also led to

1890-587: A white gang formed called Chicago Gaylords . Some gang members are motivated by religion, as is the case with the Muslim Patrol and the Epstein-Wolmark gang . Most gang members have identifying characteristics which are unique to their specific clique or gang. The Bloods , for instance, wear red bandanas, the Crips blue, allowing these gangs to "represent" their affiliation. Any disrespect of

1995-538: Is common and considered to be a norm. Women who attend social gatherings and parties with heavy drug and alcohol use are particularly likely to be assaulted. A girl who becomes intoxicated and flirts with men is often seen as "asking for it" and is written off as a "hoe" by men and women. "Hoodrats" and girls associated with rival gangs have lower status at these social events, and are victimized when members view them as fair game and other women rationalize assault against them. Most modern research on gangs has focused on

2100-528: Is important because it plays a part in impelling the terrorist to act and then in defining the targets of their actions." Displaying a gang sign, such as the noose, as a symbolic act can be construed as "a threat to commit violence communicated with the intent to terrorize another, to cause evacuation of a building, or to cause serious public inconvenience, in reckless disregard of the risk of causing such terror or inconvenience … an offense against property or involving danger to another person that may include but

2205-494: Is not limited to recklessly endangering another person, harassment , stalking , ethnic intimidation, and criminal mischief ." The Internet is one of the most significant media used by gangs to communicate in terms of the size of the audience they can reach with minimal effort and reduced risk. Social media provides a forum for recruitment activities, typically provoking rival gangs through derogatory postings, and to glorify their gang and themselves. Researchers and activists in

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2310-423: Is one of three concepts that shed light on patterns of organization in oppressed racial, religious and ethnic groups (the other two are Manuel Castells ' theory of "resistance identity" and Derrick Bell 's work on the permanence of racism). Usually, gangs have gained the most control in poorer, urban communities and developing countries in response to unemployment and other services. Social disorganization, and

2415-432: Is particularly strong on at-risk youth. Such individuals are often experiencing low levels of these various factors in their own lives, feeling ostracized from their community and lacking social support. Joining a gang may appear to them to be the only way to obtain status and material success or escape a cycle of poverty through profits from illegal activity. They may feel that "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em". Upon joining

2520-883: The Miami Herald ) in April 2010 under the endorsement of the Fundación Ideas para la Paz (FIP) in Bogotá , Colombia, and with the financial support of the Open Society Foundations . By August 2010, the Center for Latin American and Latino Studies at the American University became a sponsor. According to the organization, it was founded in order to create an online platform that "connects

2625-790: The American Motorcyclist Association and do not adhere to its rules. Instead the clubs have their own set of bylaws reflecting the outlaw biker culture. Biker gangs such as the Rebels Motorcycle Club exist in Australia. Prison gangs are formed inside prisons and correctional facilities for mutual protection and entrancement like the Mexican Mafia and United Blood Nation . Prison gangs often have several "affiliates" or "chapters" in different state prison systems that branch out due to

2730-636: The Apaches and the Bonnot Gang . Many criminal organizations, such as the Italian Cosa Nostra , Japanese yakuza , Russian Bratva , and Chinese triads , have existed for centuries. Gangs, syndicates, and other criminal groups, come in many forms, each with their own specialties and gang culture. One of the most infamous criminal gangs are Mafias , whose activities include racketeering and overseeing illicit agreements. These include

2835-785: The Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs of the United States Department of State. For the period December 2023 through to June 2027, the Swedish government development agency (Sida) will fund Insight Crime US$ 890,410. As of 2016 , Insight Crime indicated that the Open Society Foundation was a "major funder". Participants Timeline Key aspects Former guerrillas Linked to Former government program Linked to Former paramilitaries Linked to These three form

2940-617: The Gulf Cartel and Shower Posse . Street gangs are gangs formed by youths in urban areas, and are known primarily for street fighting and gang warfare. The term "street gang" is commonly used interchangeably with "youth gang", referring to neighborhood or street-based youth groups that meet "gang" criteria. Miller (1992) defines a street gang as "a self-formed association of peers, united by mutual interests, with identifiable leadership and internal organization, who act collectively or as individuals to achieve specific purposes, including

3045-474: The Hells Angels require a candidate, known as a "hang-around", to be observed and mentored by veteran gang members (which can last a year or more) in order to assess their personalities and commitment. The Cosa Nostra requires people wanting to be full members or become made men to take part in a ceremony involving oaths, agreement, and bloodletting to show their loyalty. The Sigue-Sigue Sputnik from

3150-582: The Hells Angels , the Pagans , the Outlaws , and the Bandidos , known as the "Big Four" in the United States. The U.S. Department of Justice defines outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMG) as "organizations whose members use their motorcycle clubs as conduits for criminal enterprises". Some clubs are considered "outlaw" not necessarily because they engage in criminal activity, but because they are not sanctioned by

3255-803: The Old West and historians such as Brian J. Robb and Erin H. Turner traced the first organized crime syndicates to the Coschise Cowboy Gang and the Wild Bunch . Prohibition would also cause a new boom in the emergence of gangs; Chicago for example had over 1,000 gangs in the 1920s. Outside of the US and the UK, gangs exist in both urban and rural forms, like the French gangs of the Belle Époque like

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3360-693: The United States Department of State , the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and the Open Society Foundations . It has also worked with the Center for Latin American and Latino Studies at American University and with the Colombian think tank Fundación Ideas para la Paz . InSight Crime was founded by Jeremy McDermott and Steven Dudley (a journalist who formerly reported for NPR , The Washington Post and

3465-625: The Zacatecoluca maximum security prison to lower security prisons, which was then succeeded by what InSight Crime 's Ramsey Geoffrey described as "the least violent day the country has seen in three years" when the police only registered two homicides. The truce was negotiated by Bishop Fabio Colindres  [ es ] , former deputy of the Legislative Assembly Raúl Mijango  [ es ] , and Minister of Public Security David Munguía Payés , however,

3570-407: The banditry in American history, Barrington Moore, Jr. suggests that gangsterism as a "form of self-help which victimizes others" may appear in societies which lack strong "forces of law and order "; he characterizes European feudalism as "mainly gangsterism that had become society itself and acquired respectability through the notions of chivalry ". The 17th century saw London "terrorized by

3675-674: The militarization of the PNC and instituted a curfew to prevent gang members from being in the streets at night. In March 2012, the Salvadoran government, the Catholic Church , and the gangs agreed to a truce—known simply as the Gang Truce —to lower the country's homicide rate in exchange for concessions being granted to imprisoned gang members. The truce began when 30 imprisoned leaders of MS-13 and Barrio 18 were transferred from

3780-446: The "protection" is usually from the gang itself, or in other criminal activity. Many gangs use fronts to demonstrate influence and gain revenue in a particular area. Gang violence refers mostly to the illegal and non-political acts of violence perpetrated by gangs against civilians , other gangs, law enforcement officers , firefighters , or military personnel . A gang war is a type of small war that occurs when two gangs end up in

3885-649: The 1960s in the USA often adapted nationalist rhetoric. Both majority and minority races in society have established gangs in the name of identity: the Igbo gang Bakassi Boys in Nigeria defend the majority Igbo group violently and through terror, and in the United States, whites who feel threatened by minorities have formed their own gangs, such as the Ku Klux Klan . Responding to an increasing black and Hispanic migration,

3990-600: The 1970s, prison gangs in Cape Town , South Africa began recruiting street gang members from outside and helped increase associations between prison and street gangs. In the US, the prison gang the Aryan Brotherhood is involved in organized crime outside of prison. Different gangs and criminal syndicates have various roles and members. Most are typically divided into: The numerous push factors experienced by at-risk individuals vary situationally, but follow

4095-512: The PNC recorded a total of 1,147 homicides. Throughout 2022, the PNC recorded a total of 496 homicides. As of 11 September 2023, the PNC has recorded a total of 142 homicides in 2023. Within two months of the Territorial Control Plan being implemented, the PNC reported that it had arrested over 5,000 people. As of 15 September 2023, over 72,000 people have been arrested during the gang crackdown, 7,000 of whom have since been released. In August 2019, InSight Crime's Alex Papadovassilakis wrote that it

4200-695: The Philippines require gang members to tattoo (or "tatak") the name of the gang or their leader into their body. Triads have a more unique way of initiating associates into full members. Triad ceremonies take place at an altar dedicated to Guan Yu (關羽, GuānYǔ), with incense and an animal sacrifice (usually a chicken, pig or goat). Training and expertise in various forms of illicit activities, including combat, exist variously throughout different gangs. Specific members of American mafia groups, like police infiltrators, double agents, and sometimes also enforcers and hitmen, have had backgrounds in law enforcement or

4305-829: The Sicilian Cosa Nostra and the Italian–American Mafia . The Neapolitan Camorra , the Calabrian 'Ndrangheta and the Apulian Sacra Corona Unita are similar Italian organized gangs. Outside of Italy, the Irish Mob , Japanese yakuza , Chinese triads , British firms , and Russian Bratva are also examples. Narcos or drug cartels are slang terms used for criminal groups (mainly Latin Americans ) who primarily deal with

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4410-476: The Supreme Court of Justice in 2012. Gang#Street gang A gang is a group or society of associates, friends, or members of a family with a defined leadership and internal organization that identifies with or claims control over territory in a community and engages, either individually or collectively , in illegal , and possibly violent , behavior, with such behavior often constituting

4515-433: The Territorial Control Plan is planned but its name and details have not been disclosed by the Salvadoran government. In July 2019, the first full month during which the Territorial Control Plan was in effect, the PNC recorded a total of 154 murders. The total of 154 homicides reportedly the country's second lowest monthly total in the 21st century, second only to April 2013 when 143 homicides were recorded, and almost half of

4620-402: The Territorial Control Plan. The phase, known as "extraction", sought to "surround large cities and extract the terrorists who are hiding within the communities, without giving them the slightest possibility of escape", and Bukele stated that that 200 police officers would be added to the 20,000 soldiers already patrolling the country's cities. In July 2022, Bukele had ordered the construction of

4725-542: The United States following the passage of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 . Most crimes committed in the country since the end of the civil war have been committed by gangs. According to journalist C. Ramos, more violent deaths occurred during the 1990s than occurred during the civil war; During the 1960s and 1970s, the country's homicide rate was 30 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants, meanwhile, from 1994 to 1997,

4830-622: The United States have debated the true impact of US gangs on crime in the United States, with a 2019 episode of the You're Wrong About podcast claiming that the perceived increase in gang violence was in fact an overblown moral panic. There have been repeated complaints of bias around the enforcement of gang-related laws asking why Frats and Gangs are treated differently "They're both blamed for predisposing their members to violent acts, but they’ve sparked radically different public-policy responses." InSight Crime InSight Crime receives funding from

4935-499: The United States. Gangs are involved in all areas of street-crime activities like extortion , drug trafficking, both in and outside the prison system, and theft . Gangs also victimize individuals by robbery and kidnapping . Cocaine is the primary drug of distribution by gangs in America, which have used the cities Chicago , Cape Town , and Rio de Janeiro to transport drugs internationally. Brazilian urbanization has driven

5040-408: The age of 18 years than those who did not. Gang violence is often associated with carrying weapons , including in school. A study of 10-to-19-year-olds in the UK found that 44% of those who reported belonging to a delinquent youth group had committed violence and 13% had carried a knife in the previous 12 months versus 17% and 4% respectively among those who were not in such a group. According to

5145-462: The announcement, Bukele stated that "[a]ll those who are thinking about doing something should think about it multiple times before going to jail" (" [t]odos los que estén pensando en hacer algo, deben pensarlo varias veces antes de terminar en la cárcel ") as a message to the gangs. On 23 November 2022, at a ceremony held in San Juan Opico , Bukele announced the beginning of phase five of

5250-414: The armed forces would be involved in phase one. On 29 July 2019, 1,000 more soldiers were mobilized to implement phase one. As a part of phase one, the government also instituted a state of emergency in the country's prisons. A total of 28 prisons were put on lockdown; no visitations were allowed, prisoners were confined to their cells or moved to more secure prisons, and all cellphone service around prisons

5355-614: The arrests of around 4,000 gang members and resulted in prison overcrowding . Saca's successor, Mauricio Funes , ended some policies of Super Mano Dura , such as mass raids of gang territory, in favor of pursuing criminal investigations. In September 2010, the Legislative Assembly passed the Gang Prohibition Act which gang membership illegal and allowed the government to freeze bank accounts and seize assets of gang members. In February 2012, Funes increased

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5460-419: The case of street gangs, most do not train their members in shooting and combat. Although a few would train their youths how to shoot using empty cans and bottles as targets (with some cases using underground shooting ranges ), most gangsters have no formal instructions in firearms usage and safety. The late 90s and early 2000s saw many gang members in the US being sent by judges to the military to “set them on

5565-989: The conduct of illegal activity and control of a particular territory, facility, or enterprise." Some of the well-known ones are the Black gangs like the Bloods and the Crips , also the Vice Lords and the Gangster Disciples . Other racial gangs also exist like the Trinitario , Sureños , Tiny Rascal Gang , Asian Boyz , Wa Ching , Zoe Pound , The Latin Kings , The Hammerskins , Nazi Lowriders and Blood & Honour . Law enforcement gangs are criminal organizations that form and operate within law enforcement agencies. Members have been accused of significant department abuses of policy and constitutional rights, terrifying

5670-490: The country had 19 peace zones, but homicides continued to rise, and in March 2013, the government stated that the truce was not working in some parts of the country. In July 2013, La Prensa Gráfica reported that the gangs were prepared to end the truce and were stockpiling weapons and vehicles, In March 2014, as homicides averaged 8 per day, PNC director Rigoberto Pleités stated that "the truce technically no longer exists, given

5775-419: The country since the end of the civil war, and Bukele won in part due to voters hoping he would combat the country's gang violence. In April 2019, two months before he took office, Bukele promised that his government would initiate a plan to combat crime. On 19 June 2019, Bukele announced that a security plan aimed at disrupting the finances of gangs in the country would be implemented at midnight. He referred to

5880-635: The country's homicide rate. Flores' successor, Antonio Saca , increased the security policies and announced the beginning of Super Mano Dura ("Super Iron Fist"). Methods employed by both policies to combat the gangs included joint patrols conducted by the National Civil Police (PNC) and the Armed Forces of El Salvador (FAES) of gang-controlled territories, random searches of suspected gang members, and arresting individuals who appear they could be gang members. Both policies resulted in

5985-479: The creation of anti-gang groups, vigilante gangs, and autodefensas , who are groups who profess to be fighting against gang influence, but share characteristics and acts similarly to a gang. These include groups like the Los Pepes , Sombra Negra , Friends Stand United , People Against Gangsterism and Drugs , and OG Imba . Many types of gangs make up the general structure of an organized group. Understanding

6090-417: The deserted gang. Many gangs, including foreign and transnational gangs , hold that the only way to leave the gang is through death. This is sometimes informally called the "morgue rule". Gang membership represents the phenomenon of a chronic group criminal spin ; accordingly, the criminality of members is greater when they belong to the gang than when they are not in the gang—either before or after being in

6195-449: The director of the PNC, stated that phase one—known as "preparation"—would be implemented in 12 of the country's 262 municipalities . Arriaza described the 12 municipalities selected— Apopa , Ciudad Delgado , Colón , Ilopango , Mejicanos , San Marcos , San Martín , San Miguel , San Salvador, Santa Ana , Santa Tecla , and Soyapango —as "practically [the] metropolitan area" (" prácticamente [la] área metropolitana "). Rogelio Rivas,

6300-483: The disintegration of societal institutions such as family, school, and the public safety net, enable groups of peers to form gangs. According to surveys conducted internationally by the World Bank for their World Development Report 2011 , by far the most common reason people suggest as a motive for joining gangs is unemployment. Ethnic solidarity is a common factor in gangs. Black and Hispanic gangs formed during

6405-503: The drug trade to the favelas of Rio. Often, gangs hire "lookouts" to warn members of upcoming law enforcement. The dense environments of favelas in Rio and public housing projects in Chicago have helped gang members hide from police easily. Street gangs take over territory or "turf" in a particular city and are often involved in " providing protection ", often a thin cover for extortion, as

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6510-583: The end of the truce, various government officials have been indicted for their roles in organizing the truce. In July 2020, Attorney General Raúl Melara issued an arrest warrant for Funes for his role in organizing the truce. Funes, who was in exile in Nicaragua , rejected Melara's announcement and denied any wrongdoing. In November 2022 Attorney General Rodolfo Delgado ordered Funes to stand trial for allegedly "grant[ing] benefits to gang members who were in prison" and allegedly engaging in illicit association with

6615-399: The first 2,000 prisoners being transferred to CECOT, with the prisoners all with shaved heads and wearing only white gym shorts. He posted another video showing a second prisoner transfer in March 2023. According to an opinion poll conduced by CIESCA in March 2023, 96.4 percent of respondents supported the construction of CECOT while 3.6 percent opposed it. As of 9 July 2023, CECOT has

6720-437: The gang hierarchy; how money derived from criminal activity and ability to provide for the gang also impacts the individual's status within the gang. The structure of gangs varies depending primarily on size, which can range from five or ten to thousands. Many of the larger gangs break up into smaller groups, cliques or sub-sets (these smaller groups can be called "sets" in gang slang.) The cliques typically bring more territory to

6825-486: The gang, being that certain tattoos can mean they are a more accomplished member. The accomplishments can be related to doing a dangerous act that showed your loyalty to the gang. They can be burned on as well as inked. Some gangs make use of more than one identifier, like the Nortenos , who wear red bandanas and have "14", "XIV", "x4", and "Norte" tattoos. Some members of criminal gangs are "jumped in" (by going through

6930-406: The gang. In addition, when together, the gang criminality as a whole is greater than that of its members when they are alone. The gang operates as a whole greater than its parts and influences the behavior of its members in the direction of greater extend and stronger degree of criminality. Some states have a formal process to establish that a person is a member of a gang, called validation . Once

7035-555: The gangs offered to begin negotiations to restore the truce, but Funes' successor, Salvador Sánchez Cerén , refused to begin another truce. According to an opinion poll conducted by the Technological University of El Salvador in August 2013, 47 percent of respondents believed the truce benefited the gangs. Additionally, 50 percent believed that the truce had not produced any results. In the subsequent years following

7140-548: The gangs' finances, accounting for 3 percent of the country's gross domestic product. According to an opinion poll conducted by the Central American University during the 2000s, 20.8 percent of Salvadorans believed that gangs were the biggest problem facing the country. In July 2003, Salvadoran President Francisco Flores implemented anti-gang policies known as La Mano Dura (Spanish for "The Iron Fist") in an attempt to combat gang influence and lower

7245-417: The gangs. Funes was tried tried in absentia between 26 April and 29 May 2023, during which, he was found guilty of all charges presented against him and he was sentenced to serve 14 years imprisonment—8 for illicit association and 6 for failure to perform his duties. Following his sentencing, Funes stated that "the sentence, insofar as it refers to me, is illegal, doesn't have legal foundation", claiming that

7350-431: The general population, intimidating their colleagues, and retaliating against whistleblowers. Leaders called "shot-callers" control many aspects of local policing, including promotions, scheduling, and enforcement. They operate in the gray areas of law enforcement, perpetuate a culture of silence, and promote a mentality of punisher-style retaliation. Biker gangs are motorcycle clubs who conduct illegal activities like

7455-694: The girls are less likely to be searched by police for such items. Different gangs from around the world have their way of recruiting and introducing new members. Most criminal gangs require an interested candidate to commit a crime to be inducted into a gang. Many street gangs, like the Bloods and MS-13 , have a ritual where they would beat up (also known as "beat-in" or "jump-in") aspiring applicants for several seconds to show their toughness, willingness, and loyalty. Some of these gangs allow women to become members either through being jumped-in or having sex with male members (known as "sexed-in"). Biker gangs like

7560-540: The government denied that it had entered negotiations with the gangs; Funes that stated that "the government did not sit down to negotiate with gangs", Munguía stated that "the government of the republic is not at any time negotiating with any gang", and the police attributed the subsequent decrease in homicides to "improved coordination and intelligence". In the first 21 days of March 2012, the country recorded an average of 5 homicides per day, down from 14 homicides per day in both January and February 2012. In November 2012, as

7665-463: The government failed to prove the charges against him. In May 2016, Mijango was arrested for his role in the truce. He was tried in August 2017 during the "Truce Trial" with 17 other defendants but was ultimately acquitted; Prosecutors appealed the ruling and a new trial was held in May 2019 where he was again acquitted. Mijango was ultimately sentenced to 13 years imprisonment in 2018 for charges unrelated to

7770-721: The illegal drug trade. These include drug cartels like the Medellin Cartel and other Colombian cartels, Mexican cartels like the Sinaloa Cartel and Los Zetas , and the Primeiro Comando da Capital in Brazil. Other examples are Jamaican Yardies and the various opium barons in the Golden Triangle and Golden Crescent . Many narcos are known for their use of paramilitaries and narcoterrorism like

7875-428: The increase in homicides in the past months", and on 26 May 2014, four days before the end of his term as president, Funes stated "the truce has failed, not only because of the decision of those who agreed to it; it is because a state of opinion contrary to it was created; with this, I am not saying that the truce was necessary or the only option". By then, El Salvador averaged around 14 homicides per day. In 2014 and 2015,

7980-585: The information and contacts they need to tackle the problems that organized crime increasingly presents in Latin America and the Caribbean." Apart from publishing information on its website, InSight Crime also conducts investigations across Latin America for private and government organizations. Insight Crime is funded by a mixture of government grants and corporate philanthropy. Between 2022 and 2023, Insignt Crime received US$ 530,900 in grants from

8085-514: The issuance of new firearms, bulletproof vests, helmets, radios, night vision cameras, helicopters, and drones to the country's security forces. It also called for improved police patrols and police outposts. In October 2019, the CABEI agreed to give the Salvadoran government a US$ 109 million loan to finance phase three, and the South Korean government donated US$ 5.3 million to finance

8190-485: The links may be limited. In El Salvador and Guatemala, for example, where gang violence is a serious problem, GSHS data show that the prevalence of bullying, physical fights and physical attacks reported by school students is relatively low, and is similar to prevalence in other countries in Central America where gang violence is less prevalent. Women in gang culture are often in environments where sexual assault

8295-426: The lives, security, and personal integrity of the population". As a result of the country's high homicide rate, El Salvador was often described in the media as the "world's deadliest peacetime country". During the 2019 presidential election , Grand Alliance for National Unity candidate Nayib Bukele won 53 percent of the vote and was elected as the country's president, breaking the two-party system which had ruled

8400-468: The loan from the CABEI. Bukele stated that "[w]e have to go out and work with or without resources" (" [t]enemos que salir y trabajar con o sin recursos "). On 19 July 2021, Bukele announced the beginning of phase four of the Territorial Control Plan. Known as "incursion", the phase consisted of the country's security forces directly entering territories with heavy gang influence where the security forces previously found difficult to enter or patrol. During

8505-677: The military. Sicilian mafia and Calabrian Mafia in Southern Italy became notorious for creating "schools" in the countryside to train children as young as eleven in weapons and illegal activities. Giovanni Tinebra, the chief public prosecutor of Caltanissetta , once stated, "Instead of going to school, many boys go into the countryside where there are people who teach them to shoot and turn them into killing machines." Some drug cartels in Colombia and Mexico have established themselves as paramilitaries . The earliest and most famous example

8610-420: The minister of justice and security, stated that phase one would be implemented in historic city centers; police and military personnel would be stationed in places where the gangs would collect extortion and rent money in an effort to disrupt the gangs' finances and to "send a message to the gangs" (" envían un mensaje a las pandillas "). Arriaza stated that 2,500 police officers of the PNC and 3,000 soldiers of

8715-495: The money would be allocated. In response, on 6 February 2020, Bukele invoked article 167 of the country's constitution , ordering an extraordinary session of the Legislative Assembly to convene on 9 February 2020 to approve the loan from the CABEI. When the extraordinary session convened, Bukele entered the Legislative Assembly accompanied by 40 soldiers , however, less than half of the legislature's members attended

8820-400: The monthly average of around 300 homicides. Additionally, the PNC registered zero homicides on 31 July 2019, the first time that had occurred since 13 January 2017 and only the eighth time it had occurred since 2000. Bukele attributed the decrease in homicides to the Territorial Control Plan, adding that "we didn't expect the reduction [of homicides] to be so quick and so large". Throughout 2021,

8925-559: The movement or transfer of their members. According to criminal justice professor John Hagedorn , many of the biggest gangs from Chicago originated from prisons. From the St. Charles Illinois Youth Center originated the Conservative Vice Lords and Blackstone Rangers. Although the majority of gang leaders from Chicago are now incarcerated, most of those leaders continue to manage their gangs from within prison. Punk gangs are

9030-547: The phase would cost US$ 158 million, but the government only managed to negotiate a US$ 91 million loan from the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) to fund phase two. On 1 August 2019, Bukele announced the beginning of phase three of the Territorial Control Plan. Known as "modernization", phase three sought to modernize the weapons and vehicles possessed by the country's security forces to more efficiently combat crime; The phase demanded

9135-646: The phase. On 30 January 2020, the Legislative Assembly voted against approving the US$ 109 ;million loan from the CABEI. The two largest political parties—the Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA) and the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN)—both voted against its approval, questioning the effectiveness of the Territorial Control Plan and demanding more transparency in where

9240-680: The pieces, the players and organizations" involved in Latin American crime and "the effectiveness of the initiatives designed to stop them." InSight Crime launched its website in December 2010 with news on organized crime and profiles of drug trafficking organizations and criminal personalities in Colombia and Mexico . The website intends to create an "information resource and networking tool designed for students, academics, analysts, researchers, policymakers, journalists, non-governmental workers, government officials and businesses to obtain

9345-617: The plan on Twitter as the "Territorial Control Project" (" Proyecto Control Territorial "). At midnight on 20 June 2019, the Bukele announced the beginning of the plan, now known as the "Territorial Control Plan" ( Plan Control Territorial "), in front of a crowd of personnel from both the PNC and the FAES at the Gerardo Barrios Plaza in central San Salvador , the country's largest and capital city. Mauricio Arriaza Chicas ,

9450-536: The prevalence of these different forms of gang violence in and around schools is limited. Some evidence suggests that gang violence is more common in schools where students are exposed to other forms of community violence and where they fear violence at school. Children who grow up in neighbourhoods with high levels of crime has been identified as a risk factor for youth violence, including gang violence. According to studies, children who knew many adult criminals were more likely to engage in violent behaviour by

9555-406: The rate was 80 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants. Other crimes committed by gangs include robbery, motor-vehicle theft, arms trafficking, drug trafficking, extortion, rape, and kidnapping. During the early 2000s, the Salvadoran government estimated that between 50 and 60 percent of all crimes were committed by gangs. In 2019, the Salvadoran government estimated that extortion accounts for 80 percent of

9660-990: The requirements for convicting of a crime. Women associated with gangs but who lack membership are typically categorized based on their relation to gang members. A survey of Mexican American gang members and associates defined these categories as girlfriends, hoodrats, good girls, and relatives. Girlfriends are long-term partners of male gang members, and may have children with them. " Hoodrats " are seen as being promiscuous and heavy drug and alcohol users. Gang members may engage in casual sex with these girls, but they are not viewed as potential long-term partners and are severely stigmatized by both men and women in gang culture. "Good girls" are long-term friends of members, often from childhood, and relatives are typically sisters or cousins. These are fluid categories, and women often change status as they move between them. Valdez found that women with ties to gang members are often used to hold illegal weapons and drugs, typically, because members believe

9765-651: The right path”, which only led to these street gangs gaining military training and experience. Many street gangs, most notably African-American gangs like the Folk Nation and Bloods, continue to have a presence in the US Military . The United Nations estimates that gangs make most of their money through the drugs trade , which is thought to be worth $ 352 billion in total. The United States Department of Justice estimates there are approximately 30,000 gangs, with 760,000 members, impacting 2,500 communities across

9870-412: The session and the loan was not approved. Mario Ponce , the president of the Legislative Assembly , described the incident as an " attempted coup ", to which Bukele responded by stating "if I was a dictator, I would have taken control of everything". On 18 February 2020, 1,400 more soldiers were mobilized to enforce the Territorial Control Plan in response to the Legislative Assembly's refusal to approve

9975-468: The structure of gangs is a critical skill to defining the types of strategies that are most effective with dealing with them, from the at-risk youth to the gang leaders. Not all individuals who display the outward signs of gang membership are actually involved in criminal activities. An individual's age, physical structure, ability to fight, willingness to commit violence, and arrest record are often principal factors in determining where an individual stands in

10080-683: The symbols of the Klan), flags secret greetings, slurs , or code words and other group-specific symbols associated with the gang's common beliefs, rituals , and mythologies to define and differentiate themselves from other groups and gangs. As an alternative language, hand-signals, symbols, and slurs in speech, graffiti , print, music, or other mediums communicate specific informational cues used to threaten, disparage, taunt , harass , intimidate , alarm, influence, or exact specific responses including obedience, submission, fear, or terror. One study focused on terrorism and symbols states that "[s]ymbolism

10185-424: The thesis of class struggle following the work of Walter B. Miller and Irving Spergel. In this body of work The Gaylords are cited as the prime example of an American gang that is neither black nor Hispanic. Some researchers have focused on ethnic factors. Frederic Thrasher , who was a pioneer of gang research, identified "demoralization" as a standard characteristic of gangs. John Hagedorn has argued that this

10290-550: The time they appeared. The emergence of the gangs was largely attributed to the vast rural population immigration to the urban areas. The first street-gang in the United States, the 40 Thieves , began around the late 1820s in New York City . The gangs in Washington D.C. had control of what is now Federal Triangle , in a region then known as Murder Bay . Organized crime in the United States first came to prominence in

10395-467: The truce and died in prison in August 2023. In July 2020, Munguía was arrested for his role in organizing the truce. In May 2023, he was sentenced to serve 18 years imprisonment—8 years for illicit association, 6 years for failure to perform his duties, and 4 years for committing arbitrary actions. Munguía described his sentencing was "a political condemnation" (" un condenado político "). Colindres has not been arrested or charged for his role in negotiating

10500-404: The truce began to fracture with a rise in homicides, Mijango and Colindres announced the implementation of "peace zones" where gangs would aim to eliminate all criminal activities, surrender their weapons, and make peace with rival gang members, in exchange for the police ending night-time anti-gang operations and the government implementing programs which provided work for gang members. By May 2013,

10605-413: The truce. In 2015, the country's homicide rate peaked at 104 homicides per 100,000 people for a total of 6,657 homicides, the most homicides recorded in El Salvador since 1983 during the civil war. Due to the surge in homicides, on 25 August 2015, the Supreme Court officially designated both MS-13 and Barrio 18 as terrorist organizations , stating that both gangs were responsible for "systematic attacks on

10710-654: The use of slangs and argots used by Victorian criminal societies to distinguish each other, like those propagated by street gangs like the Peaky Blinders . In the United States, the history of gangs began on the East Coast in 1783 following the American Revolution . Gangs arose further in the United States by the middle of the nineteenth century and were a concern for city leaders from

10815-412: Was "far too early" to attribute the decrease in homicides up to that point to the Territorial Control Plan as Bukele had done, adding that the decrease came amidst a consistent trend of decreasing homicide figures which began in 2016. Papadovassilakis also wrote that there were concerns that the government would seek to "artificially reduce the country's homicide rate" by omitting homicides which occurred as

10920-501: Was blocked. This state of emergency was lifted on 2 September 2019. In total, phase one cost the government US$ 31 million. On 2 July 2019, Bukele announced the beginning of phase two of the Territorial Control Plan. Known as "opportunity", phase two sought to improve healthcare, promote education and scholarships, and build schools and sports centers in an effort to provide "alternative opportunities" for young Salvadorans and prevent them from joining gangs. The government estimated that

11025-607: Was the time when the Medellin Cartel hired Israeli soldier Yair Klein to train militiamen and assassins. Los Zetas became infamous for being founded by US-trained Mexican commandos . Together with Kaibiles from Guatemala , they set up camps to train future sicarios and soldatos. Other Mexican cartels who trained their members include the Jalisco Cartel , who trained their members for three months in ambushes, codes of silence and discipline, inside camps. In

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