Central America's Maras

The Maras, a phenomenon specific to Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, take their name from the marabunta ants, Central American army ants that devour everything in their way.

With branches in the United Status of America, Mexico and Spain, the maras originate in the immigrant communities of Central Americans who adopted the culture of the street gangs in Los Angeles (California), Chicago and New York.

Although divided in various groups, or cliques, the two main ones are “Mara Salvatrucha” and “Mara 18”, named after the streets of Los Angeles where they were born.

Security policies looking for short term results and fear on the part of locals has helped spur on the Mano Dura laws that have prevailed in the region, with disastrous results: rising homicide rates, the collapse of the corrections system and what have become routine killings inside jails among rival factions.

It is estimated that the maras mobilize an estimated 25,000 to 300,000 active members in Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras. This estimate rises as the United States increases the observance of deportation laws.

From Comunidad Segura:

Salvar jóvenes de la violencia armada, un desafío para el mundo

Related materials available in Spanish:

Fundación Arias

Sección sobre maras de la Oficina en Washington para Asuntos Latinoamericanos (WOLA)

Instituto de Opinión Pública - Universidad Centroamericana José Simeón Cañas (El Salvador)

Sección sobre maras de USAID

Publications:

Ni Guerra Ni Paz: Comparaciones internacionales de niños y jóvenes en violencia armada organizada.

Demystifying the Maras

Against mano dura policies, the WOLA report

Central America's Powderkeg

El Salvador's pandilleras given a second chance

Honduras: Anti-gang policies implicated in human rights abuses
 

Alarming homicide rates in El Salvador send protesters to the streets

Mano Dura wave increases repression against crime in Central America