Organized crime in the Central American region: a study of its punitive vision and alternative strategies from a Human Rights perspective

Abstract

The purpose of studying organized crime as a phenomenon that operates transnationally throughout the hemisphere is not only to understand its impact, but also to learn how it has emerged, developed and been addressed throughout history in the region. However, this process of analysis cannot be carried out without knowing the theoretical conceptualizations surrounding this phenomenon. In this sense, it is essential to delimit its operability in specific criminal groups and in specific geographic sub-regions, as is the case of Central America and the phenomenon of maras and drug trafficking cartels. These criminal groups have very specific historical origins and causes, under dynamics of violence, segregation and intervention of external actors in the area, in addition to other elements that have promoted their settlement to the point of becoming a deep structural problem, impacting the social, political, institutional and economic sphere of Central American countries. Understanding the seriousness of this situation, governments have made efforts during the last decade to establish punitive and repressive measures to address this impact; however, during this process there have been serious violations of Human Rights (HR), fostering a culture of violence. For this reason, to counteract this situation, a series of alternative measures are proposed under the approaches of international cooperation, human rights, legal strengthening, citizen security, effective reintegration into society and restorative justice.