Guatemala: Targeting of ethnic Mayans in Quetzaltenango by criminal gangs, and existence of criminal gangs made up of "ladinos" (1999-June 2000)

No information on the composition of criminal gangs or on their targeting of persons based on a specific ethnicity could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

The only recent demographic analysis of Guatemalan criminal gangs found states that "the majority of those responsible for violent acts and their victims are men between 20 and 29 years of age" (CAR 11 June 1999). Studies indicate that the level of crime and violence is higher in urban areas; "poor distribution of wealth" is reportedly viewed by some analysts as a contributing¾not a determinant¾factor of the criminal violence affecting the country (ibid.).

"Ladino" is a term widely used in Guatemala to describe persons of European descent or of mixed or non-indigenous ethnicity. No exact figures on the proportion of the current population of Guatemala that could be described as "ladinos" could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. However, one source reports, for example, that

Forty eight percent of the population [of Guatemala] are direct descendants of the Mayan Indians. These people live primarily in the rural highlands or "altiplano" of western and northwestern Guatemala. The rest of the population is of mixed Spanish and Mayan ancestry and is referred to as "ladino". The ladino population is spread throughout the entire country. The ladino population wears western style clothing (Guatemala Quick Facts 9 Feb. 2000).

The Encyclopaedia Britannica describes the "ladino" population of Guatemala in two sections. First, under "Guatemala: The people¾Ethnic composition," it states:

 On the basis of cultural traits, the population is divided into two main ethnic groups--Ladinos and Amerindians. The Ladinos comprise those of mixed Hispanic-Amerindian origin in addition to those Amerindians who have adopted Western ways of life. While Amerindians account for some 45 percent of the nation's total population, they make up 75 percent of the population in the western highland provinces. The Ladinos are the more commercially and politically influential group, and they make up most of the urban population. Most of the small  number of blacks, called Black Caribs, inhabit the Caribbean lowlands (n.d.).

Under another entry, the Encyclopaedia Britannica describes "ladino" as:

 Europeanized Central American person of predominantly Spanish origin. Despite regional variations, there is a cultural similarity among Ladinos stemming from their common Spanish origins and speech. Ladinos include urban classes, rural labourers, and peasantry. Although not always physically distinguishable from Indians, Ladinos may be recognized by their exclusive use of the Spanish language and by their Western dress (ibid.).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Central America Report (CAR) [Guatemala City]. 11 June 1999. "Violence Continues to Rise; Most of the Perpetrators are Young Men, a Study Finds." [Accessed 14 July 2000]

Childreach, Rhode Island. 9 February 2000. Guatemala Quick Facts. [Accessed 17 July 2000]

Encyclopaedia Britannica [Chicago]. N.d.. "Guatemala: The people¾Ethnic composition" and "Ladino." [Accessed 17 July 2000]

Additional Sources Consulted

IRB Databases.

Latinamerica Press [Lima]. 1999-June 2000.

Latin American Regional Reports: Central American & the Caribbean [London]. 1999-June 2000.

Internet Websites.

Internet Search Engines.

Note: This list is not exhaustive. Country-specific publications available at the Resource Centre are not included.