Guatemala: Gangs Extort, Kill Bus Drivers

By Larry Habegger | Permalink | No Comments | December 23rd, 2009 | Trackback

Criminal gangs are terrorizing Guatemala City’s bus network, the only viable public transit in the country, through extortion of bus drivers. If the drivers don’t pay protection money, the gangs kill them. This year alone they have killed 170 drivers, while the cost of protection is about two-thirds of the drivers’ salaries, but they have no choice because the risks are too great. The gangs use teenagers for the killings because if caught they receive lesser sentences. Meanwhile, passengers traveling around the capital city or from it out into the countryside face the risk of stray bullets if riding in a targeted vehicle.

Home » Terrorist threats, Guatemala, Scams/Crime, Central America

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