Drugs and Gangs in Latin America

Latin America is now home to some of the world's most fearsome third-generation gangs. Gang violence like drug use varies considerably, but one characteristic that helps to explain gang violence is the level of organization a particular gang possesses. This is based on the moneymaking ventures in which the gang is involved. Those that are able to secure lucrative illegal ventures seem to be less likely to engage in violence. Thus the type of gang that emerges or moves into a community depends in large part on the availability of legal and illegal opportunities within it. In contrast in disorganized communities, where there is a lack of illegal opportunities, as well as the absence of criminal role models to regulate illegal behavior, “fighting” gangs may emerge which include the aforementioned highly competitive and violent drug-selling organizations.

Central American maras such as MS-13 and M-18 have tens of thousands of members spread across several countries. The First Capital Command (PCC) of Sao Paulo, with perhaps 100,000 members, dominates the slums and prisons of South America's largest city and maintains alliances with mafia groups throughout South America. In Mexico, the drug trade has given rise to groups like Los Zetas, a relatively small organization that has nonetheless carved out lucrative trafficking and distribution networks, while cultivating relations with gangs in Central America and the U.S.

Third-generation gangs in Latin America share several key characteristics. They all participate in a broad range of criminal enterprises among them drug trafficking, human smuggling, kidnapping, extortion, arms dealing, contract killings, and money laundering. They are well-organized, with top-level bosses overseeing multi-tiered structures that operate according to a division of labor. They are also technologically sophisticated, using Web sites for recruiting and propaganda purposes, as well as electronic surveillance to track and eliminate their ...