| Description |
1 online resource (iv, 31 pages) : color maps |
| Series |
Crisis Group Latin America Report ; No. 52 |
|
ICG Latin America report ; no. 52.
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| Contents |
Executive summary. -- Recommendations. -- Introduction. -- Corridor of violence. -- The wild East. -- Benefactors and bullies. -- From border control to development. -- Conclusion. -- Appendices |
| Summary |
The recent history of Guatemala and other countries facing transnational organised crime suggests that using elite forces to capture major capos is not enough to assure public security in the long run. Instead of reducing violent crime, it may exacerbate bloodshed by setting off a struggle within or between criminals to control trafficking and other illicit activities. National leaders, business people and donors need urgently to launch initiatives aimed not only at securing the border, but also at creating a positive state presence capable of bringing long-suffering residents security plus vital services and economic opportunity. Guatemalan leaders should also place a high priority on strengthening the police and justice sector, in cooperation with CICIG, whose mandate may need to be extended. Such efforts require sustained political effort and are likely to benefit the country as a whole. Guatemala and Honduras are not the only Latin American countries whose neglected borders are havens for traffickers and other outlaws. A joint development program has sparked economic growth along the Peru-Ecuador frontier, while Colombia has begun an ambitious development plan for regions harbouring a lethal combination of guerrillas, paramilitaries and newly emerging criminal networks. These nations should share experience and expertise with Central American leaders struggling to develop their own security strategies. The U.S. and others with interests in fighting international organised crime should give more aid to embattled border communities, including measures to strengthen local institutions and prevent violence via education and job training. Thus far most help has focused on border control and drug interdiction. Stopping bloodshed along the Guatemalan/Honduran border requires a more comprehensive approach to combine law enforcement with economic development |
| Notes |
"4 June 2014"--Cover |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references |
| Notes |
Online resource; title from PDF cover page (ICG, viewed July 8, 2014) |
| Subject |
Border security -- Guatemala
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Drug control -- Guatemala
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Transnational crime -- Guatemala -- Prevention
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Drug traffic -- Guatemala
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Drug traffic -- Honduras
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Violence -- Guatemala -- Prevention
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Border security.
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Drug control.
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Drug traffic.
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Violence -- Prevention.
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Guatemala.
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Honduras.
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| Form |
Electronic book
|
| Author |
International Crisis Group, issuing body.
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