The world of the mareros as gang bangers or gangsters are derogatorily called in Central America has called my attention since the first day I met some of them in a Guatemalan prison. Marero is a member of a mara — a gang. It is not known where the word mara comes from, but one plausible explanation is that it derives from the Portuguese word marabunta. Marabunta means the massive migration of some legionary ants which devour everything edible they find in their path in a jiffy. The marabunta is extremely dangerous both because of its sudden appearance and the unpredictability of its itinerary.
Very few know from where the gangs emerged, but many people say they originated in the United States. Central American young boys started organising themselves to defend themselves from other groups who were already well-established in Northern American territory. When later these groups developed into criminal activity gangs and ended up having clashes with the law, there was a widespread deportation back to Central America. While in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, these young boys reverted to what they knew best—they reorganised themselves and resumed their criminal activities back in Central America. Mara ranks swelled in the marginal areas of Central American countries which for several years had been immersed in internal wars. Sadly, nowadays, La Mara is the only affective link that gives a sense of belonging and identity to many Central American young people.
Br Carmel Duca MC
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