The Stream

El Salvador’s gangland

Can the government’s strong arm tactics stop gangs set to ‘rape, control and kill’?

In El Salvador, gangs are considered terrorists police can shoot without consequences. The government’s “mano dura”, or heavy handed approach, is winning fans among people tired of the murders that have turned El Salvador into the world’s deadliest country not at war. But critics say it’s threatening civil liberties and causing even more insecurity. Join the conversation with a former gang member and others navigating El Salvador’s gangland.

In this episode, we speak to:

Roberto Fuentes Francisco Altschul @el_salvador_emb
Ambassador, Embassy of El Salvador
elsalvador.org

Alex Sanchez @HomiesUnidos
Executive director, Homies Unidos and former MS-13 member
homiesunidos.org 

Elizabeth Kennedy @EGKennedySD
Social scientist
elizabethgkennedy.com

Maria Jose Benitez @MJBenitez
Child protection specialist consulting for UNICEF

What do you think? Leave your views in the comment section below.