Crime Latin America

After a gunman with a semiautomatic pistol opened fire in a Sao Paulo movie theater this month, killing three people and wounding six, a police official said, "We are not used to this type of crime because it's the kind that happens in the United States." His words might seem ironic. While crime hits historic lows in the United States, it has risen across Latin America.

During the decade that his leadership of Peru's spy agency won U.S. praise and support, Vladimiro Montesinos built a billion-dollar criminal empire based on drug trafficking, arms dealing and judicial and political corruption, Peruvian investigators alleged Thursday. Describing the progress of a three-month mega-investigation of the regime of former President Alberto Fujimori, aspecialprosecutorpaintedasadlyillustrativepictureofhowglobalization and gangsterism have intertwined in Latin America.

In life, Beverly Sandoval was the family merrymaker, the oldest daughter who played practical jokes and decorated the Christmas tree. In death, she has become the symbol of a nation's pain and rage. Her burial on a misty day in November resembled a state funeral. Guatemalans filled the long road to a cemetery outside the capital, tossing flowers onto her hearse. Mourners waved banners reading, "Basta ya!" ("Enough already").

After a gunman with a semiautomatic pistol opened fire in a Sao Paulo movie theater this month, killing three people and wounding six, a police official said, "We are not used to this type of crime because it's the kind that happens in the United States." His words might seem ironic. While crime hits historic lows in the United States, it has risen across Latin America.

Agustin Portillo knew his son Jose was headed for trouble. He came home in November after four years in the United States, defiant, tattooed with gang symbols--and deported as an undesirable immigrant. "I am going to change," the 24-year-old promised his father. But he did not have time. By April, Jose Portillo was dead.

Thousands of Mexico City residents from every social class and political persuasion marched in silence through the capital Saturday to protest the soaring crime and corruption that have generated a climate of helplessness and impunity. In a country where demonstrations have normally been the tools of political parties, the march studiously avoided any political message--except to send a warning to all the parties through the march slogan: "Ya Basta!" ("Enough's Enough!"

During the decade that his leadership of Peru's spy agency won U.S. praise and support, Vladimiro Montesinos built a billion-dollar criminal empire based on drug trafficking, arms dealing and judicial and political corruption, Peruvian investigators alleged Thursday. Describing the progress of a three-month mega-investigation of the regime of former President Alberto Fujimori, aspecialprosecutorpaintedasadlyillustrativepictureofhowglobalization and gangsterism have intertwined in Latin America.

Complaining to a Venezuelan friend of mine on how crime has soared in Mexico, I was shocked to hear her insist things were much worse in Venezuela. "Everyone I know there has been mugged," she said, "and that includes me. They put a gun to my temple and demanded a few bucks." Similar things have happened whenever I chat with friends from other Latin American countries. It is as if each one wants to take credit for the worst crime horror stories.

His face may be on a newly printed postage stamp, but national hero status could not prevent former President Miguel Angel Rodriguez from being arrested last week for alleged corruption. Rodriguez was arrested after he was recently forced to resign as secretary-general of the Organization of American States after only two weeks on the job. His resignation and arrest were the latest blows to this country's reputation as an island of clean politics and low crime in Latin America.

In life, Beverly Sandoval was the family merrymaker, the oldest daughter who played practical jokes and decorated the Christmas tree. In death, she has become the symbol of a nation's pain and rage. Her burial on a misty day in November resembled a state funeral. Guatemalans filled the long road to a cemetery outside the capital, tossing flowers onto her hearse. Mourners waved banners reading, "Basta ya!" ("Enough already").

Thousands of Mexico City residents from every social class and political persuasion marched in silence through the capital Saturday to protest the soaring crime and corruption that have generated a climate of helplessness and impunity. In a country where demonstrations have normally been the tools of political parties, the march studiously avoided any political message--except to send a warning to all the parties through the march slogan: "Ya Basta!" ("Enough's Enough!"

Agustin Portillo knew his son Jose was headed for trouble. He came home in November after four years in the United States, defiant, tattooed with gang symbols--and deported as an undesirable immigrant. "I am going to change," the 24-year-old promised his father. But he did not have time. By April, Jose Portillo was dead.