Maras.

The maras, once regarded as a regular street gang
in Los Angeles, have increasingly gained the attention of the media and national
authorities due to their rapid expansion across the United States, Mexico, and
Central America. This book provides an explanation to the origin of the maras and
their territorial expansion. It analyzes the measures adopted against them in
Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador, and compares the results obtained in each
country. The particular set of events allows the author to study what happens when
three countries with similar cultural backgrounds face the same problem in three
different ways.

The maras, once regarded as a regular street gang
in Los Angeles, have increasingly gained the attention of the media and national
authorities due to their rapid expansion across the United States, Mexico, and
Central America. Eventually, Central American governments began considering the
maras, at least in their political discourses, as a threat to national security and
thus started implementing measures to specifically combat them. In Honduras, the
government reformed the Penal Code and conducted raids. The Salvadoran authorities,
on the other hand, passed a law against the maras that ultimately remained in effect
for only a couple of months. In Guatemala, the authorities failed to pass a specific
law on the maras, but they still carried out massive raids.

This book provides an explanation to the origin of the maras and their territorial
expansion. It analyzes the measures adopted against them in Honduras, Guatemala, and
El Salvador, and compares the results obtained in each country. The particular set of
events allows the author to study what happens when three countries with similar
cultural backgrounds face the same problem in three different ways: How did the
authorities enforce the measures in each country? Did the measures have an impact on
national crime rates? How did the maras react to the measures? The answers to these
questions will provide guidance to policy makers and a reference to researchers.

Introduction

Chapter 1 The Maras, a Symptom of Our Times

1.1 The Origin of the Maras
1.2 The Maras from Within: Joining the Gang – The Vida Loca: The Maras' Activities
and Crimes – Leaving the Gang – Structure and Organization
1.3 Summary

Chapter 2 Analysis of the National Situation

2.1 Guatemala: Guatemala's General Indicators – The Maras in Guatemala – Official
Measures Implemented – Consequences of the Measures Taken – Summary
2.2 Honduras: Honduras' General Indicators – The Maras in Honduras – Official
Measures Implemented – Consequences of the Measures Taken – Summary
2.3 El Salvador: El Salvador's General Indicators – The Maras in El Salvador –
Official Measures Implemented – Consequences of the Measures Taken – Summary

Chapter 3 Overarching Analysis

3.1 Regional Factors that Contribute to the Expansion of the Maras
3.2 The Maras in Central America
3.3 Measures Implemented
3.4 Consequences of the Measures Taken: Law Enforcement Agencies – The Reaction of
the Maras – Homicide Rate

Chapter 4 Theoretical Analysis

4.1 Punishment and Retaliation
4.2 The Purposes of Criminal Punishment
4.3 Zero Tolerance Policing
4.4 Criminal Law for the Enemy
4.5 The Culture of Control

Chapter 5 Concluding Remarks

References

• By (author) David Jensen