Opposing views on what the gang truce means for El Salvador
Americas Quarterly has produced an article with two diametrically opposed views of the gang truce in El Salvador. David Brotherton, a sociologist at John Jay College of Criminal Justice takes a very optimistic view and concludes:
The truce has effectively produced a new political and cultural moment. It is not business as usual. The gang bangers have rejected their stereotypical image and opted for peace. It is the perfect time for those with the power and resources at both the local and international levels to follow suit.The opposite view is expressed by Carlos Ponce, a columnist at El Diario de Hoy and crime consultant. He sees the truce as simply part of the evolution of the gangs into more sophisticated and more dangerous criminal organizations:
El Salvador should learn from the experience of its northern neighbor, and be smarter about how much it invests in the current truce—and, by extension, how much it concedes to MS-13 and Barrio 18. Negotiations between the government and gangs should cease immediately. Instead, a comprehensive approach to fight these criminal organizations must be designed and executed.You can read their respective arguments here.
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