Honduras gangs declare truce, seek talk with gov't

[Catherina]

(Best to read the whole article)

Honduras gangs declare truce, seek talk with gov't

ALBERTO ARCE
Published: 32 minutes ago


A masked member of the 18th Street gang, touches his mask during a press conference inside the San Pedro Sula prison in Honduras, Tuesday, May 28, 2013. Honduras' largest and most dangerous street gangs have declared a truce, offering the government peace in exchange for rehabilitation and jobs. Mara Salvatrucha gang spokesman says the gang and its rival, 18th Street, will commit to zero violence and zero crime in the streets as first step show of good faith. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras (AP) - Honduras' two biggest and most dangerous street gangs declared a truce Tuesday, offering to give the government peace in exchange for rehabilitation and jobs.

...

The truce, patterned after one between the same two gangs in neighboring El Salvador, has been worked out over the last eight months with mediation by Roman Catholic Bishop Romulo Emiliani of San Pedro Sula.

...

In El Salvador, authorities say the truce that began last year has sharply lowered the number of violent deaths. According to reports from Salvadoran public security authorities, homicides have dropped about 52 percent in the 14 months of the truce.

...

Both gangs have their roots in Southern California, where young men seeking refuge from Central America's civil wars formed violent gangs on the streets of Los Angeles and its suburbs in the 1980s. Gang members later deported from the U.S. re-established their violent organizations in their native countries of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. Many of the leaders operate from prison and direct illegal activities and crime among members on the streets.

...

"We ask the government to help us so our young people learn a trade and don't turn out like us," Marco said.

http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_306488/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=Bc8ocZni

[Catherina]

1. Honduran Rival Gangs Sign First Peace Agreement

Honduran Rival Gangs Sign First Peace Agreement

Tegucigalpa, May 28 (Prensa Latina) The gangs Maras Salvatrucha (MS-13) and the 18 signed today a first peace agreement in order to achieve a reconciliation with Honduran society and the cessation of violence across the country.

At press conference in San Pedro Sula prison, when the agreement took place, one of the representatives of the MS-13 confirmed the interest of his gang to take this step towards the path of peace and change.

He said that for them would be very important that President Porfirio Lobo would listen.

...

With more than 70,000 members, primarily located in the United States, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Mexico, these gangs emerged in the streets of Los Angeles, California.

Their criminal activities include drug and weapons sales, extortion, kidnapping, robbery and killings.

http://www.plenglish.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1458591&Itemid=1

[Judi Lynn]

2. This is overwhelming! So surprising to be able to see this.

From the original article:

"We ask the government to help us so our young people learn a trade and don't turn out like us," Marco said.

It would almost make you weep.

That kid is sincere. Why else would he say that?

Hope & pray that this will bear fruit. Thanks.