Mexican city Querétaro works to make peace with youth gangs

Youth gangs have fought for control of Querétaro’s streets for decades but now, thanks to an initiative by officials in the Mexican city, some of these groups are signing up to peace agreements in exchange for opportunities.

“The grudges between the gangs were rough, to the extent that we could not easily move from one place to another, but right now with the Agreement for the Neighborhood, we can move with more peace, with more tranquility,” said David Miranda Hernández, a member of the Dejando Historia (DH) gang.

Querétaro is considered one of the quietest and safest cities in México, but since the 1980s, the presence of youth gangs has blighted certain neighborhoods of the city, home to just over one million.

That is why the mayor’s office launched the Weaving Peace Communities program together with the Nacidos para Triunfar (Born to succeed) association months ago, with the aim of promoting harmony between the rival gangs.

These actions led to the signing of the so-called Agreement for the Neighborhood, which seeks to cement a peace agreement in exchange for providing young people with opportunities.

Querétaro mayor Luis Nava says this initiative aims to integrate these young people in society, acknowledging that they have been marginalized for years.

“They tell us that people judge them because they see them with some tattoos ... This (agreement) gives us an opportunity as a society to tell them: you are part of us, we have to work together,” he said.

Nava explains that in the first stage, they worked with 22 gangs that comprised more than 200 young people who were offered workshops that focus on changing their neighborhoods from the inside and opening new horizons to improve their life.

After the initial stage, the Agreement for the Neighborhood was signed.

Several gangs agreed to halt territorial disputes.

“When they arrived, they told us that they were going to literally support us to achieve our dreams. In case we want to study, work or have any talent that we want to develop or bring forward,” Miranda Hernández explains.

“They first saw me on the corner smoking weed or with my friends, but now I see myself literally fulfilling my dreams and reaching for the top,” he adds.

Meanwhile, Aldo, a member of another gang, said he was relieved to be able to develop his urban art legally.

“For the first time, they give us the chance to make a mural with permission, and not go illegal on the street and take risks. ... This seemed perfect to me because there I knew how to express myself well,” he stresses.

Adriana Bouchot, director of Querétaro Institute, says that an attempt will be made later to enroll these young people in trade, an academic career, or even a company, as part of this comprehensive program that seeks to break the patterns of conflict found in the poorer neighborhoods of the Mexican city.