HagaMUN – 6,7 and 8 March 2020
Disarmament committeeThe issue of the increasing gun violence related to gangs in Central America6th, 7th and 8th of March 2020Gymnasium Haganum, The HagueForum: Disarmament committeeIssue:The issue of increasing gun violence related to gangs in Central AmericaStudent Officer:Skander Lejmi and Darief MaesPosition:President and Deputy PresidentIntroductionGun violence is a very wide spread matter around the globe. With more than 2,5 million murders between 2000 and 2017 in Latin America alone, there has to be something done to prevent more casualties from coming. Most of these murders come from gang violence in Central America, but especially in the Northern Triangle (El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras). This gun violence is destabilising these countries a lot and making it one of most dangerous places on earth. A lot of people from these countries that suffer from this violence are scared, which resulted into a lot of people fleeing their country. The UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees) expected that by the end of 2019, 539.500 people were fleeing from Central America, causing a huge brain drain, especially in times where they need their people the most. These countries are in a very bad condition, due to the past civil wars and revolutionary conflicts. But why are these gangs, often known as maras, becoming so violent against their own people?Mostly for money and child recruitment. A lot of gangs try to take over cities and highly populated portions of land to either sell drugs, extort or steal. They also try to recruit young boys to join their gang, but if their parents or the boys themselves refuse, they’ll get killed. The city of San Pedro Sula, both Honduras’ second largest city and one of the most dangerous cities in the world (for example a homicide rate of 80 per 100k people) is largely divided into different gang territories. One of these gangs is the Mara Salvatrucha gang, also known as MS-13. This gang was founded in Los Angeles and became a transnational criminal organization. They are known to be the strongest gang in the Northern Triangle. It has also been a big theme on president Trump’s election program, because of their notable presence in the United States’ crime scene such as several murders and child prostitution. The second largest gang in Central America is the Barrio 18, also known as the 18th Street Gang. This gang is also founded in Los Angeles, but this time by Mexican immigrants. They find themselves in the same criminal circuit as MS-13 (with Barrio 18 also having a transnational network), which caused them to be their biggest rivals. Despite the fact that the gang was Mexican in the first instance, it now also has a lot of members from the Northern Triangle. Definition of Key TermsBrain DrainBrain Drain means that a lot of knowledge in terms of people leave the country.Gang, MarasAn organised group of criminals. Northern TriangleOther names for El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.UNHCRThe United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees is a United Nations’ refugee organisation focusing on the protection and guidance of refugees.Background InformationA lot of countries in Central America already have a long history of “deep-rooted” violence, due to their political instability and years of civil war. These unstable years made place for criminal gangs to grow, massively. MS-13MS-13 was founded in Los Angeles by Salvadoran immigrants (who were also fleeing their country due to the violence) to protect their people from other Los Angeles gangs. However, over the years they became a completely organised criminal organisation.Why did people join these gangs?In the 1980s, Central America had a lot of civil wars and communistic revolutions, which became even bigger after the United States helped the anti-communistic forces by providing them with aid. They were scared of communistic South America. Due to these civil wars, over one million civilians fled to the United States to escape from the violence, with most of the people going to Los Angeles. These immigrants did not fit into the social environment of Los Angeles. They mostly were the out group, so they joined LA gangs. A place of brotherly love and acceptance for these immigrants, but not for others. These gangs stole from a great amount of people and companies with poverty being the main catalyst. Another reason is also the status of “just” being bad. It shows power and bravery.A lot of these gang members got deported back to Central America in the nineties, but regrouped themselves and started smuggling.The ceasefire In 2012, there was a ceasefire of a few years between MS-13 and Barrio 18 arranged by the El Salvadoran government, because of the peaking violence in the country. The government relaxed the prison conditions for the gang members of both gangs. After this happened, the homicide rate dropped with 40%. This ceasefire continued for only 2 years, causing the murder rate to skyrocket after 2014. It stopped, because of the change in approach by the Salvadoran government (president Salvador Sánchez Cerén took office who had a different opinion on the ceasefire). Even though the homicide rate dropped drastically, other crimes like extortion continued to be committed. Also the discovery of several mass graves suggested that these gangs were working in secret. This change in approach resulted in a complete disruption of the agreement.DrugsThe Northern Triangle is known for being a large trading point for drugs. It is located between the largest drug producers in South America and the largest drug consumers in the United States with over 100 million active users. MS-13 and Barrio 18 smuggle these drugs to the United States. This typical situation of supply and demand is already ongoing for a couple of decades and is also contributing to the gun violence problem. While the United States offered substantial aid to Central America for giving extra efforts stopping the drugs trade, the war on drugs is still an ongoing matter in the United States. That is why Washington now also provides $100 million annually for drug interdiction and law enforcement. Gangs and Drug cartelsThe comparison is often being made between gangs and drug cartels. Even though both are criminal organisations, drug cartels are more like businesses, because of their well thought out structure. They have a lot of employees and operate a whole money infrastructure, with drugs being their only income. There commonly is only one man on top of the cartel, functioning as general or president that structure the whole cartel. These cartels also have enough money to have good lawyers, business men and sometimes even politicians on their side.Gangs however, aren’t specifically focused on selling drugs, but more on the fact that they’re gaining financial resources to survive. They neither have a well thought structure, nor a specific division in positions. They feel equal to each other. However, gangs do have leaders that steer a gang in a certain direction.Major Countries and Organizations InvolvedEl SalvadorBeing the most dangerous country on earth with a homicide rate of 100 homicides per 100.000 residents, El Salvador is highly involved in the problem of gun violence between gangs. El Salvador’s civil war caused over 70.000 people to be killed and over 1 million people being displaced.GuatemalaGuatemala is just like El Salvador highly involved in this conflict between gangs. Having several gangs conquering it’s cities, it has a large brain drain as well. Guatemala lost over 140.000 people during their civil war, that took place between 1960 and 1996.HondurasThe third country of the Northern Triangle, Honduras. This country, earning most of its money with the export of coffee, has an average homicide rate of 41 homicides per 100.000 residents. While not experiencing any civil war, Honduras had a large military presence in the United States.The United StatesThe United States had and has a large impact on Central American countries. They tried to control several countries during communistic revolutions (like Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras), by helping anti-communistic groups with providing troops, weapons and financial resources. They still have a large impact on these countries (due to the ongoing gang war that is also affecting US’s cities) by offering financial aid to Central American countries.Timeline of EventsDateDescription of event1960Barrio 18 foundedEnd 1970sLarge wave of Central American refugees1980MS-13 founded1992El Salvador civil war ended1996End Guatemalan civil war2012Cease fire between MS-13 and Barrio 18 in El SalvadorRelevant UN Treaties and EventsEven though this is a very recent issue that caused a lot of people to flee their country, the United Nations haven’t made a UN treaty against the violence by gangs. However, there was a meetup two years ago by several countries. This UN backed event had as the main topic to find solutions for the current refugees. There also has been a formal UN treaty about the refugee crisis in Central America, from 1990, (A/RES/45/141).Previous Attempts to solve the IssueIn 2012, citizens were hopeful again in El Salvador. The gangs weren’t fighting anymore, and the homicide rate dropped drastically due to the ceasefire. Some days the homicide rate dropped to zero. However, the Salvadoran government found several mass graves that gave a slight indication that these homicides still continued. Regrettably everything seemed better than it actually was.Possible SolutionsAlthough this issue mostly affects nearby countries, it still has an impact on the world as well, especially when it comes to the trading of goods. A lot of tea and coffee come from these Central American countries. When a lot of people flee a country, a shortage in labor force arises, which is already going on in these countries. That is why a possible solution to the issue, is to firstly help these countries to get rid of the gangs, and afterwards try to bring back all fled citizens to restore their country. This solution needs a lot of reliability on the Central American countries, known for being corrupt. That is why the UN could also appoint several supervisors for every Central American country, who report suspicious behavior in a countries’ parliament.Gang AbolishmentEveryone needs a second chance, that is one of the human rights we have in the western world, but many people who were former gang members did not get that chance. According to The Intercept, who interviewed a Salvadorian former gang member, the first questions that are being asked at a job interview are: “Are you a gang member?”, “Are you tattooed?”, “Do you have family in a gang?” And “Are you from a gang-controlled neighbourhood?” Many are scared, but not everyone is as violent as some gang members. The meaning of “Gang Abolishment” was therefore more in a human way, by firstly knowing who did what and deciding for every member what has to be done. For some that may be in prison, for others that were forced into the gang life that may be a psychologist to handle the terrible events. Another possible solution is to help both the United States and the Northern Triangle countries to tackle the large drugs consumption that is ongoing, by sending professionals and giving financial aid to built rehab centers and give extra lessons about the effects of drugs. While it sounds a little absurd to give the US financial aid, it may help them so they can focus on protecting their borders and stop the smuggling.BibliographyZaidi, Tariq. “El Salvador: a Country Ruled by Gangs – a Photo Essay.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 22 Nov. 2019, , Danielle, and Cora Currier. “El Salvador Is Trying to Stop Gang Violence. But the Trump Administration Keeps Pushing Failed ‘Iron Fist’ Policing.” The Intercept, 2 Oct. 2018, , Anastasia. “Victims of Gang Violence in Central America Flee Homes to 'Save Their Lives': U.N.” Reuters, Thomson Reuters, 6 July 2016, , Imelda. “Central America Is Losing US $ 13 Billion to Corruption.” OCCRP, , Tyler. “Inside Gang Territory in Honduras: 'Either They Kill Us or We Kill Them.'.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 4 May 2019, , Jose Miguel. “Central American Gangs like MS-13 Were Born out of Failed Anti-Crime Policies.” The Conversation, 23 Dec. 2019, . ................
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