Gangs and Transnational Criminals Threaten Central American Stability

Abstract

The recent expansion of gangs and transnational crime poses a significant threat to Central American stability. Central American nations generally lack the infrastructure to capture and prosecute these gang members; therefore, they continue to breed instability within the region and have exported their criminal activity in remarkable fashion. This Central American instability negatively impacts U.S. national security interests abroad and is detrimental to U.S. domestic security. This paper will explore and research the depth of this problem and its impacts on U.S. national security. It will also provide critical analysis and recommend courses of action for U.S. policy options, to include a key element for success: regional cooperation to interdict the expansion of Central American gangs and transnational criminal organizations in concert with our Central American neighbors.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 10, 2009
Accession Number
ADA498136

Entities

People

  • Howard L. Gray

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Counter WMD
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Central America
  • Crime
  • Criminals
  • Economic Systems
  • Employment
  • Geographic Regions
  • Governments
  • Law
  • Market Economy
  • National Security
  • Police
  • Security
  • Social Problems
  • Terrorists
  • United States
  • Urban Areas
  • War Colleges

Readers

  • Political Violence and Terrorism Studies.
  • Systems Analysis and Design