So how are gangs destroying my community? Well several organization working directly with these issues have pinpointed the main affected area. A combination of poverty, social exclusion, and a lack of educational and job opportunities for anyone are perpetuating the gang problem. A decade ago, Guatemala did not have a serious organized crime problem; now it has the worst scenario in the region due to the weakness of the State and the increased strength of organized crime. In present time, to ease the crime Guatemala implemented the reduction of the army. The reduction of the army resulted in the abandonment of military position in crucial cities of Guatemala. The result was a power vacuum in those territories that was filled by criminal groups
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Extortion is the act of obtaining something from someone else by force, intimidation, or undue or illegal power. My hometown has factories that assemble, sew, label, inspect and iron millions of garments. It has been without a doubt a big economical influence that brings in new jobs. But these factories have become the prime targets of gangs. “Terrorized workers at one large maquilla in Mixco with nearly 5,000 employees are required to pay a “tax” of 20 quetzales ($2.50) every two weeks—2 percent of the average monthly salary for a worker who earns $250 a month” (Delpech, Quentin). Gangs terrorize workers and demand an amount to be pay at every month in order to keep them “safe”. The same goes for small business owners, street vendor and transit workers in my hometown. Transit workers are the most brutal; gangs will commandeer any vehicle and demand a profit form the driver. If the bus driver is to refuse, then they will incinerate the bus or kill the passengers, and as a result they give into their demands. According to the same author, Quentin, “617 bus drivers and 199 assistants have been murdered when they refused to pay protection money to racketeers.” Apart from extortion and gaining youths for their groups, gang violence goes even further in my community. Homicides are becoming more and more common in my country and community. Gang members with one main point kill innocent citizens, and that is to place fear on the community. While doing this research I conducted a small interview with one of my family members, my aunt. The summary is
Extortion is the act of obtaining something from someone else by force, intimidation, or undue or illegal power. My hometown has factories that assemble, sew, label, inspect and iron millions of garments. It has been without a doubt a big economical influence that brings in new jobs. But these factories have become the prime targets of gangs. “Terrorized workers at one large maquilla in Mixco with nearly 5,000 employees are required to pay a “tax” of 20 quetzales ($2.50) every two weeks—2 percent of the average monthly salary for a worker who earns $250 a month” (Delpech, Quentin). Gangs terrorize workers and demand an amount to be pay at every month in order to keep them “safe”. The same goes for small business owners, street vendor and transit workers in my hometown. Transit workers are the most brutal; gangs will commandeer any vehicle and demand a profit form the driver. If the bus driver is to refuse, then they will incinerate the bus or kill the passengers, and as a result they give into their demands. According to the same author, Quentin, “617 bus drivers and 199 assistants have been murdered when they refused to pay protection money to racketeers.” Apart from extortion and gaining youths for their groups, gang violence goes even further in my community. Homicides are becoming more and more common in my country and community. Gang members with one main point kill innocent citizens, and that is to place fear on the community. While doing this research I conducted a small interview with one of my family members, my aunt. The summary is