Academic Journal
Assessing Gang Risks in Post-War Environments: The Case of Colombia.
| Title: | Assessing Gang Risks in Post-War Environments: The Case of Colombia. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Kerr, Katie |
| Source: | Stability: International Journal of Security & Development; 2020, Vol. 9 Issue 1, p1-21, 21p |
| Abstract: | Countries emerging from armed conflict often experience heightened violence and youth gang activity. Following the signing of peace accords with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia -- People's Army (FARC-EP), what are Colombia's risks in terms of youth gangs? To assess these risks, this article draws from gang research and literature on post-war violence to identify six factors that recur in post-war environments and are likely to fuel a rise in gangs: illicit economies and criminal networks, exposure to violence, marginalization, social disorganization, security gaps and state responses, and former combatants. After analyzing Colombia's risks with reference to each of these, the article concludes that the strengthening ties between youth gangs and Colombia's illicit economies, mediated by adult-run criminal networks, increase gang numbers and violence. Moreover, some disadvantaged, urban neighborhoods are vulnerable to gang escalation due to the effects on local youths of protracted violent exposure, marginalization, and social disorganization. Finally, while ex-combatant recidivism and security gaps are prominent concerns in Colombia, they are not expected to contribute significantly to youth gang dynamics in urban areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Subject Terms: | SOCIAL disorganization, GANG violence, YOUTH violence, AT-risk youth, GANGS, CITIES & towns |
| Geographic Terms: | COLOMBIA |
| Copyright of Stability: International Journal of Security & Development is the property of Centre for Security Governance and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| ISSN: | 21652627 |
| DOI: | 10.5334/sta.720 |
| Database: | Complementary Index |
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