Honduras gangs declare truce

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http://www.todayonline.com/world/americas/honduras-gangs-declare-truce-ask-talks-govt

The two biggest and most dangerous street gangs in Honduras declared an unprecedented truce yesterday (May 28), offering peace in the world’s most violent country in exchange for rehabilitation and jobs.

A spokesman for the Mara Salvatrucha, identified only as Marco, said the gang will commit to zero violence and zero crime in the streets as a first-step show of good faith.

He spoke to reporters from a prison cell in San Pedro Sula, the Central American country’s northern business capital and one of the world’s most violent cities.

“Our truce is with God, society and authorities. We ask society and authorities to forgive us for the damage we have done,” Marco said.

Minutes later, a leader of the rival 18th Street gang gave a separate news conference from another prison cell, saying his gang offers the same as the Mara Salvatrucha, “if the government will listen”.

Roman Catholic Bishop Romulo Emiliani of San Pedro Sula said that the gangs need government help to break away from their criminal lives, including extorting money from businesses to finance their war with each other. He said authorities should try to turn Honduras’ prisons into rehabilitation centres.

The two gang leaders who talked with journalists emphasised that so many young men go into the gangs because there are no legitimate jobs or opportunities, and they emphasised the need for work.

“We ask the government to help us so our young people learn a trade and don’t turn out like us,” Marco said. “I want my son to be a doctor or a cameraman, not a gangster.”