International News

Guatemala becoming one of the most violent nations in Latin America

A recent report released on Thursday 19th August, by the Guatemala Police security forces has revealed that for the first seven months of 2010, the violent death rate has risen to 16 per day. That's 3,434 violent deaths already so far this year.

The shocking statistics underline the growing momentum behind youth gangs, drug traffickers and the rise in organised crime.

Over 85% of deaths were involving firearms, with the majority of all violent deaths occuring in and around the country's capital city, Guatemala City, where more than 30% of Guatemala's 14 million people live.

Central America, and in particular, Guatemala, has a greater intensity of gang and drug trafficking problems because it is a key passage en route to the United States - the desired final destination of many of the drug cartels and their merchandise. As with any organised crime or drug-related gangs, violence and force come hand in hand as a means of control.

Many of the children we are working with find themselves caught up in the cartels, as errand-runners, delivery boys or simply as a cog in the overall process. The children are shown a different way of living, given a place of safety, or simply shown that they are precious and loved - values that the gangs don't share.

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