Transnational gangs: security across borders

In recent years, many Latin American countries have seen a wave of violence. This violence has been caused by several groups, some of which operate at a transnational level. Some of these groups are gangs that have been able to establish cells in North and Central America. These groups have evolved dramatically and some have established sophisticated and organized networks. These have been the cause of social disruption on a large scale and many governments, including the United States, are concerned that the gangs could become a threat to their national security; in some countries and are seen as a threat. Combinations of measures have been taken to address the problem and have taken the form of zero tolerance policies, rehabilitation programs, and in extreme cases, extrajudicial executions. This paper analyzes the evolution of such gangs, how they operate, where they are located, who they work with and how they operate without a defined hierarchy. Part of this work will be devoted to immigration and the movement of transnational gangs. Also consider cross-border cooperation between the United States, Mexico and Central America as is the issue of transnational gangs.