El Salvador

This web site is for information about, pictures of, and blog experiences from the smallest Central American nation, El Salvador. Located along the Pacific coast, the country uses the American dollar, has a warm, tropical clime. If you... [more]

Write an Article

Join

RSS

The Stiletto: El Salvador is awash in violence.

Written by sheltercrow on

From: www.soulcast.com

AlJazeeraEnglish

El Salvador is awash in violence. Fifteen years after the end of a bloody civil war, the small Central American country has become notorious for its vicious street gangs, or maras, as they are called.

Among the worst are the Mara 13 and Mara 18 which sell drugs, extort protection money and fight relentlessly for territory.

In Santa Anna, EL Salvador's second largest city, gang members are always on the lookout for new recruits.

They pressure youth, many as young as 10, to participate in criminal activities and prove their worth as foot soldiers - or face the consequences.

Fear and economic pressures force many to become part of the gang life, setting them on a violent course that too often ends in jail time for capital crimes or tragic death.

But an innovative organisation in Santa Ana, Barefoot Angels, has been battling for more than 10 years to shelter kids from violence and away from gang life.

Barefoot Angels staff run great risks, along with the children they help, and have witnessed dramatic results.

Producers Steve Baum and Adam Raney documented Barefoot Angels' daily struggle for the hearts and souls of EL Salvador's youth.

El Salvador is awash in violence Part 1

El Salvador is awash in violence Part 2

	America's Top 10 Beaches - 2008 I'd rather be in Maui instead of sitting at my cubicle!
	Endangered Inca Trail If you want to hike the Inca Trail, you might want to fly to Peru soon.
	Kelly Brook voted 'Best Bikini Body Ever' Better get into shape if you want to flaunt your figure like these ladies do.