El Salvador
El Salvador is Central America’s smallest, most densely populated country. Though homicides have declined in recent years, the country’s street gangs, known as maras, still dominate many communities — subjecting Salvadorans to threats, extortion and sexual violence. Since peace accords ended civil war in 1992, the country has changed from a military-dominated regime to a relatively open society with competitive elections, independent judges and investigative media outlets. USIP will work to protect these fragile gains by supporting civil society organizations dedicated to reducing polarization, preventing conflict and building resilient communities.
Featured Publications
El Salvador necesita soluciones a largo plazo para poner fin a los ciclos de violencia
El gobierno de El Salvador reaccionó con dureza ante un reciente aumento en los homicidios al imponer un Estado de emergencia y detener a miles de presuntos pandilleros. La historia reciente sugiere que la aplicación de la ley por sí sola no puede resolver el problema sin tener programas integrales de prevención, intervención y rehabilitación de pandillas en comunidades marginadas. Mary Speck de USIP analiza la violencia en El Salvador y cómo el país puede reducir el crimen sin dejar de respetar los derechos humanos.
El Salvador Needs Long-Term Solutions to End Cycles of Violence
The government of El Salvador reacted harshly to a recent spike in homicides by imposing a state of emergency and rounding up thousands of suspected gang members. Recent history suggests that law enforcement alone cannot solve the problem without comprehensive gang prevention, intervention and rehabilitation programs in marginalized communities. USIP’s Mary Speck discusses violence in El Salvador and how the country can reduce crime while still respecting human rights.
Central America: To Slow Refugees’ Flight, Reduce the Violence
The flow of asylum seekers from Central America’s Northern Triangle to the U.S. border stems from intense violence fueled by corruption, drug trafficking, gang culture and poverty, specialists on the struggling region said.