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Maras: A Study of Their Origin, International Impact, and the Measures Taken to Fight Them

David Jensen (Costa Rica)

Ph.D. Project

Maras: A study of their origin, international impact, and the measures taken to fight them.

The subject of study are the so-called “maras” i.e. street gangs that have taken hold in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and some parts of the United States, attracting wide governmental and media attention. The project's aims are twofold: first, to investigate the situation of the maras. That includes their origin, the reasons for their dissemination throughout North and Central America and their disputed nature between street gang and organized criminal group; and second, to analyze the measures taken especially (but not exclusively) by government agencies in the respective country, hereby evaluating the use of retaliation, mediation and punishment.

Research Interests and Goals

Organized crime, transnational crime.

Publications

(selection)
  • Jensen, David: Naming your enemies. In: Armborst, A., Jensen, D. (Eds.): Retaliation, Mediation and Punishment. edition iuscrim, forschung aktuell - research in brief, no. 42. Freiburg i. Br. 2010, p. 50-55.

Curriculum vitae

Nov/2008 - May/2011 PhD Candidate of the International Max Planck Research School on Retaliation, Mediation and Punishment (IMPRS REMEP) at the Max Planck Institute for Foreign and International Criminal Law in Freiburg i.Br., Germany
Jan/2010 Master of Laws (LL.M), Freiburg University
Feb/2004 - Nov/2005 Licentiate in Law, University of Costa Rica
Feb/2000 - Dec/2003 Bachelor in Law, University of Costa Rica