Although there has been movement in the negotiations with the maras in El Salvador and hope for peace has emerged, the criminal gangs have not stopped recruiting young people. A brief update from our National Coordinator Annette Homlicher.
In 2011, El Salvador was categorized by the United Nations as the most violent country in the world. In April of this year, it became known that a military chaplain had entered into negotiations with the maras, the criminal gangs. His aim was to achieve a reduction in the murder rate, which stood at 12 to 14 victims per day. In return, the demands of the imprisoned maras leaders were to be met. They wanted to be transferred from the high-security wing to a regular prison. Although they initially denied this, it soon became clear that the government was behind the negotiation efforts. Since the prisoners were transferred, the number of murders has fallen by 60%, which the population has noticed with great relief. Female members of the maras in the prisons also issued a statement asking the population for forgiveness. The maras also handed in some weapons and promised to withdraw from the schools. For the first time in decades, a window for peace seems to have opened in El Salvador.
The peace is deceptive
Partner organizations of terre des hommes schweiz report, however, that the maras in the city districts continue to recruit young people, extortion is still taking place and attacks on buses have even increased. Significant long-term efforts in the area of violence prevention are clearly needed to achieve sustainable peace. The experience of terre des hommes schweiz in El Salvador shows that concerted action is needed to counter violence. Young people who found their self-confidence, family substitute and livelihood in the gangs need alternatives. The partner organizations that work with these young people or carry out prevention work in the city districts therefore take the approach of integrating at-risk young people rather than ostracizing them as a risk group. This includes psychosocial support, creative initiatives or efforts in the neighborhoods that change the role of young people and offer them economic opportunities. Dialogues and further training for teachers and the police are also an important part of prevention work.
