ABSTRACT
In the following brief discussion of his role in the inter-gang peace process in Ecuador, a leader of the Masters of the Street provides an important analysis of the failure and success of this policy, bearing in mind that Ecuador is one of the few countries in the world ever to embark on an anti-violence strategy that involved engaging directly with street gangs as part of the government’s commitment to the goals and principles of universal social citizenship. This radical rethinking of gang social control occurred between 2007 and 2017, contributing to the nation’s remarkable drop in homicide rates from 21.8:100,000 in 2008 to 5.6:100,000 in 2016.
This chapter presents my point of view on the peace process in Ecuador. I believe that this process resulted in a decrease in violence and homicide rates in certain communities but may only be temporary if other serious problems in poor neighborhoods are not resolved.
