Arrested for exhibiting gang-affiliated tattoos

Whilst living in Mexico, I would occasionally spot an article in a local newspaper detailing the capture and deportation of members of Mara Salvatrucha or Mara 18. A gang of Guatemalan origin, passing through Mexico or embroiled in violent clashes with local gangs. For reasons I am writing a book, essays and short stories about, I chose to use the above photo as a cover for my first sakamoiz mixtape (ask me for the CD if you want a copy).

Inevitably, the civil wars of the 1980s have now become the gang violence of the 21st century. I have been reading the work of academic Patricia Gonzalez whose specialty is post-conflict violence. She generously put me up when I found myself without cash in Guatemala City. For a brief but concise introduction to the contemporary troubles of Central America, check out the latest issue of Five Minutes To Midnight:

"People are now being arrested for what is known as "illicit association," following which two or more gang members are prohibited from being together. Youngsters can also be arrested for simply exhibiting gang-affiliated tattoos," reports Jennifer Yang in The Gang Crisis in Central America.

These are Yang's sources:
Grim News in Central America: Wave of Gang Violence Grows - Resource Centre of the Americas. 29 Jan. 2004. 1 Dec. 2005.
Gangs: The Fatal Compulsion To Belong - Resource Centre of the Americas. 26 Apr. 2004. 1 Dec. 2005
Central America's Gang Crisis - Resource Centre of the Americas. 17 Sep. 2004. 1 Dec. 2005
Ex-gang members find jobs in region scarcer than ever - Resource Centre of the Americas. 25 Apr. 2005. 1 Dec. 2005
Central America's Crime Wave Spurs Plan for a Regional Force - Resource Centre of the Americas. 16 Aug. 2005. 1 Dec. 2005
In Guatemala, a rise In vigilante justice - Christian Science Monitor. 6 Oct. 2005. 1 Dec. 2005
A South American Import - National Alliance of Gang Investigators ASsociation. 12 Apr. 2005. 1 Dec. 2005
Central America's Street Gangs Are Drawn into the World of Geopolitics - Power and Interest News Report. 26 Aug. 2005. 1 Dec. 2005