150 Youth Gangs Battle For Control Of Medellin

mariacvetanoski says on Sep 3, 2009, 04:02:

Gangs of youths shout at each other from one hill to the other and gunshots can be heard, most alarmingly, this seems to have little effect on the children who play nearby in the streets. Death has become a daily spectacle. Armed gangs, who fight for control of territory, are part of the daily life for the inhabitants of District 13 who are frequently dragged into this dangerous turf war. A young man covered in blood lies in the middle of the street. Was he a member of a gang, or an innocent victim? Nobody knows or cares. Only a few children near the security perimeter installed by the police seem affected. Some of them hide their eyes or look away, but most of them seem fascinated by the violence which is eating away at this part of the city.

A merciless war

The economic and industrial capital of Colombia, Medellin’s murder rate has fallen back significantly since 2003 and it is trying to nurture an image of a rehabilitated city. Medellin wishes to attract tourists again, and wipe the slate clean and ditch the city’s murky reputation.

But the image of the famous ‘godfather’ of the 1970s, Pablo Escobar, is still in fresh in people’s minds. More worryingly, some of the younger generation are ready to take up the challenge. The stakes are high: the country still produces 700 tons of cocaine each year and the local drug trade in Medellin is said to bring in over 3 million euros per month.

Indeed, since the death of the charismatic head of the drugs cartel, the mafia has split and the new bosses - although more discreet than their idol - are no less cruel. They are ready to wage a merciless war for control of the city.

And there is no shortage of manpower. There are now over 150 gangs - which roughly translates to 4,000 men - ready to kill for a few pesos or grams of cocaine. The stakes in this battle are beyond them, but they are no fools. They know that the battle they are waging is not their own, but they deny being puppets: “You could say that they are using us […] but they do try to help.” The drug traffickers are thus using these adolescents, aged on average between 17 and 22, to do their dirty work. In exchange, they are offering them an easy life, but one which is often cut short.

Medellin sees on average seven murders a day – which is almost twice as many as in 2008. Two thirds of these needless deaths are due to gang warfare.

Save the street children of Colombia Now!!

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mariacvetanoski says on Sep 3, 2009, 04:39:

The stakes are high: the country still produces 700 tons of cocaine each year and the local drug trade in Medellin is said to bring in over 3 million euros per month.

Save the street children of Colombia Now!!

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davidslc46 says on Sep 3, 2009, 04:46:

Great video, thanks


david

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Aji1 says on Sep 3, 2009, 06:09:

Great report.

My question is does anyone really think that the government, much less local government, can offer these young mostly uneducated men a real pathway for hope and a better future? That is what it will take to reduce the incentives for choosing this way of life.What are they going to do, hand them cash? Give them some menial job sweeping or something to work all day for a starvation wage? People that are making easy money today tend to become accustomed to making easy money. If their perception is that you can not offer stable work with a decent, progressive, growing wage and thus improving quality of life, these men will continue to choose a shorter, but easier life centered around violence. IMHO. Life's decisions are measured against the next best viable option.

I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

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Bill Turley (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Sep 3, 2009, 06:10:

Aji1 says on Sep 3, 2009, 07:26:

AZ, I think it did cover some of the things the Mayor is trying to do with regards to this problem during the last 2-3 minutes of the clip. That is what I was basing my comments of was the response to the problem beyond just the typical, but needed sometimes, "more muscle" police response.

I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

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dguittar says on Sep 3, 2009, 07:26:

What about other parts of the city? Are the gangs trying to expand their areas against competing dealers? What about their "bosses" structure?

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Aji1 says on Sep 3, 2009, 10:37:

AZ ... no te afanes mijo :)),

I was just critiquing only what was presented. My comments were not meant to cover the topic in a comprehensive manner. I took the "increased Police Presence" to be the 1300 additional police for Medellin recently spoke of. I was focusing more on the "program" they were speaking of at the end of the clip. Na' ma'

Besides, PBH comments are all just fodder to and from the peanut gallery anyway :)

I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

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Paisa/Calena/Luver says on Sep 3, 2009, 10:59:

My boy in Envigado told me things are getting worse there and there is a power struggle going on there, local gangs trying to rub each other out..

"PAY ATTENTION! I wonder if that person knows that when we push the FUNNY button, its because we are reading something outrageous, trying to be cynical, derogatory, sarcastic and/or obnoxious!"

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Aji1 says on Sep 3, 2009, 12:20:

AZ, soy de acuerdo

I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

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utopiacowboy says on Sep 3, 2009, 17:34:

Nature abhors a vacuum and so does the narco trade. Eventually things will sort themselves out and everyone will be crowing about the new Medellin "miracle".

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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Oviedo (☼Travelguide writer) says on Sep 3, 2009, 20:00:

poco says on Sep 3, 2009, 20:05:

Quote: to the point that even the daily military presence does not put a stop to their deadly trade.
=========================
Maybe they should send in the piece corp.

Colombian Chickens are crowing about the new President of the U.S. who will assure that From each according to their ability to each according to their need.

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dtbrooklyn says on Sep 3, 2009, 20:55:

Great video,

It really shows a reality that I certainly haven't felt in the year that I've been living down here. Of course, Belen is light years from communa 13. It's not an easily solved problem, but at least they're acknowledging it now and trying to deal with it.

My only complaint is that it seems like they demonize communa 13, when the worst of the violence has been in 12 Octubre and el castillo, and the center. 13 is bad no doubt, but it's not alone and not necessarily the worst - just the most infamous.

porque no te callas?

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