An alleged gang member is controlled by the police officers from the special emergency unit (Halcones) in a gang neighbourhood of San Salvador, El Salvador, 16 May 2011. Although the murder rate in the country has dropped significantly, after a truce between two major street gangs (Mara Salvatrucha and Barrio 18) was agreed in 2012, the lack of security and violence are still the main issues in people's daily life. Due to the fact the gangs have never stopped their criminal activities...
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An alleged gang member is controlled by the police officers from the special emergency unit (Halcones) in a gang neighbourhood of San Salvador, El Salvador, 16 May 2011. Although the murder rate in the country has dropped significantly, after a truce between two major street gangs (Mara Salvatrucha and Barrio 18) was agreed in 2012, the lack of security and violence are still the main issues in people's daily life. Due to the fact the gangs have never stopped their criminal activities (extortions, distribution of drugs and kidnappings), the Police anti-gang forces keep running their operations and chasing the ‘homeboys’ (how the gang's foot soldiers usually call themselves) in the poor, socially deprived suburbs of Salvadoran cities.
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