Gang Members and Organized Crime in Guatemala

Territorial Disputes and Violence

While territorial disputes between mafia-style groups are on a downward trend, they still occur due to unclear demarcation of territories and detention of aggressive drug leaders.

Dispute Dynamics: Minor gangs engage in torture and use small weapons for selective killings or intimidation. Drug cartels use more brutal force and high-powered weapons.
Impact: Territorial disputes contribute to ongoing violence, affecting communities and undermining trust in authorities.

Corruption

State-embedded actors facilitate or engage directly in criminal operations, with low- and medium-level law-enforcement entities associated with gangs and drug cartels connected across all levels of the state apparatus.

Collusion: Links between drug cartels and members of congress, the army, and law-enforcement authorities are widespread.
Consequences: Corruption erodes public trust in institutions and hinders efforts to combat organized crime.

Leadership and Governance

Anti-organized-crime and anti-corruption initiatives have been unsuccessful due to a lack of political support, funding, and continuity.

Ineffective Efforts: Current strategies are not yielding results, perpetuating the cycle of violence.
Opportunities for Reform: Addressing corruption and strengthening governance can help break the grip of organized crime.

Criminal Justice and Security

Guatemala’s judiciary is not equipped to deal with complex cases due to overloading, understaffing, and bureaucratic delays.

Judicial Challenges: Prisons suffer from extreme violence, poor living conditions, and severe overcrowding.
Reform Opportunities: Strengthening the judiciary and improving prison conditions can help reduce crime and improve security.

Economic and Financial Environment

Guatemala’s laws and institutional capacity to combat money laundering are extensive, but extortion remains widespread, particularly in the telecommunications sector.

Money Laundering: Addressing this issue is crucial for reducing organized crime’s financial support.
Extortion: Combating extortion requires a comprehensive approach that involves law enforcement, judicial reform, and community engagement.

Crime victims’ services and witness-protection programs are limited in practice and often provided by civil-society organizations.

Social Support: Journalists and human-rights activists face hostility and violence for their work.
Community Engagement: Building trust with communities is essential for developing effective solutions to organized crime.