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Guatemala’s Mafia-Style Groups See Decline in Violence, But Still Engage in Brutal Tactics

Despite a downward trend in violence, Guatemala’s mafia-style groups continue to wreak havoc on the country, using brutal tactics to maintain their grip on the drug trade and intimidate civilians.

The State of Organized Crime in Guatemala

The decline in violence is largely attributed to a clearer demarcation of territories among the various gangs and the detention of some of the most aggressive drug leaders. However, smaller, more violent gangs remain a significant threat, using torture and small weapons to carry out selective killings or extort money from their victims.

The Role of Drug Cartels

The larger drug cartels, such as the Cartel de Sinaloa, the Cartel del Golfo, and Los Zetas, have been less violent in their methods, opting instead for more brutal force and high-powered weapons. These cartels, which are largely controlled by Mexican organizations, dominate the drug trade in Guatemala’s border regions.

Corruption and Complicity

Guatemala’s criminal underworld is heavily influenced by corrupt state actors, who often facilitate or engage directly in criminal operations. Low- and medium-level law enforcement entities have been known to collaborate with gangs, while the drug cartels have connections across all levels of the state apparatus.

Political System Compromised

The country’s political system has also been compromised, with organized crime penetrating the government through links between drug cartels and members of congress, the army, and law enforcement authorities. This has led to a lack of trust in the authorities among the public, making it difficult to combat organized crime effectively.

Judicial System Struggles

Guatemala’s judicial system is struggling to keep up with the complex cases generated by organized crime, with courts overwhelmed by bureaucracy and delays. The country’s 22 prisons are also plagued by violence, poor living conditions, and severe overcrowding, which has allowed organized crime to flourish behind bars.

Government Efforts

Despite these challenges, some government programs have attempted to tackle the issue of organized crime, but their efforts have been hampered by corruption, understaffing, inadequate resources, and a lack of trust. Guatemala’s porous borders and hundreds of blind spots without a state presence also make it an attractive location for criminal operations.

Economic Environment

The economic environment in Guatemala is characterized by widespread extortion, with victims ranging from small businesses to large multinationals. The country’s laws and institutions are designed to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, but corruption remains a significant obstacle to effective law enforcement.

Civil Society’s Role

Civil society plays a crucial role in fighting organized crime in Guatemala, with organizations providing services to crime victims and promoting solutions despite working in hostile environments. However, journalists and human rights activists face significant threats, with many being attacked or killed for their work.

Conclusion

Overall, while there have been some positive developments in the fight against organized crime in Guatemala, much work remains to be done to address the root causes of this problem and bring those responsible to justice.