Young assassins. A reflection of society's failure

At the age of 14, an average boy would be thinking about sports, girls and probably videogames. If he is lucky and he attends school, he would be also concerned about his classes and passing to the next grade.

But that would be only if he is fortunate and has had the blessing of parents, teachers or relatives taking care of him.

That was not the case of Edgar “N,” the 14-year-old assassin arrested last week in the state of Morelos, in central Mexico. Edgar, also known as “El Ponchis,” began his criminal career at the age of 11, when the Cartel del Pacifico recruited him. According to his own testimony, he participated in four executions and he beheaded and mutilated his victims. For every killing he received between $2,000 and $3,000.

Unfortunately, El Ponchis’ case is not unique and it illustrates the way that criminal organizations are recruiting members among children. According to his testimony, he didn’t become a criminal of his own will, “I was dragged into that,” he said.

Criminal organizations recruit soldiers among the more neglected sectors of the population. Their soldiers usually come from dysfunctional families, where poverty, lack of educational opportunities and a weak system of beliefs and values prevail.  A quick look at Colombia’s experiences gives an idea of the gravity of the situation.

 According to Corpades, a Colombian non-profit organization, recruiting minors is becoming a constant pattern of organized  crime in that country. “We think that 60 percent of the criminal groups in Medellin are integrated by minors between 11 and 17 years-old,” said Luis Fernando Quijano, president of the organization to the newspaper El Espectador. “We have registered cases in which children as young as 8 are used as mules and others are trained as hit men as young as 11.”

Colombians know how serious this problem is. They have seen generations of children being recruited by guerrilla members, paramilitary men and now organized crime, and for years they have been dealing with the problems of how to legally prosecute minors. 

It looks like Mexico is heading in that direction and will have to deal with this problem as well.

One of the challenges that the Mexican judicial system is currently facing is the adequacy of its laws in judging and punishing minors.

In Mexico, the age at which you are considered an adult is 18, which means that below that age, a person can’t be judged or put in trail as an adult. Some are calling for the government to reduce that age to 16, so the children who commit horrendous crimes, such as the ones committed by “El Ponchis”, can be punished with all the weight of the law.

As a 14 year old, El Ponchis might be punished with three to five years in prison, but according to criminal lawyer Cipriano Sotelo Salgado, if it is demonstrated that he committed his crimes before turning 14, he won’t go to prison because the law doesn’t sanction this for children below that age.  If that is the case, he will be sent to receive psychological treatment and to be re-educated and re-integrated into society -whatever it means.

The debate around changing the age to be considered an adult will definitely be controversial, because it is not as simple as they committed a crime, so punish them. Children’s rights, psychological issues and international threats are just some of the issues that will be part of the upcoming debate.

Nothing is more truthful, and thus equally painful, as the fact that El Ponchis and all the children who have been recruited to commit crimes are the sons and daughters of a broken system. As with a mirror, they offer us the most dramatic images of how poorly Mexico, as a society, is doing with its children.

As children, they should have the opportunity for an education, good health and a system of values and beliefs–but some of Mexico’s children haven’t had these opportunities and because of that they are also victims.

“El Ponchis” committed horrible crimes and, yes, he should be judged and punished for that as a minor, not as an adult. But most importantly, his case should be seen as a significant indicator of all of the failures in the system.  Mexico’s government, politicians and all of civil society should really think about where we are heading and what can be do to change the fate of hundreds of children and teenagers that deserve opportunities and a better life.

 

Comments

[Chris]

Great post and insight to Mexico

[Richard Wright]

Loudres,

"Anarchy - a state of lawlessness or political disorder due to the absence of governmental authority". Websters defination fits the situation in Mexico today, doesn't it?

What judicial system? It appears to be completely broken, if indeed it ever worked. What is Mexico going to do to fix it?

These children are indeed the products of a broken system. Again, what is Mexico going to do to fix it? Why haven't these children had the opportunities of a good education, health care etc?

Where is Mexico going to go? How long can this state of lawlessness last?

To my way of thinking these are the questions journalists should be demanding answers to, because right now the border states demonstrate all the characteristics of a "failed state".

[XXXX]

The Mexican government are all spineless cowards.

[Luis Arenal]

Mr. XXXX, Would you like to explain us what are you talking about? We are not in 1934 anymore. We are in 2011, let me tell you!