41 | Gangs providing services

About this episode

The episode discusses the role of gangs in providing community services in Medellin, Colombia, and their relationship with the government.

What happens when gangs step in to provide services for communities that governments aren't able or willing to provide? David Cerero Guerra joins the podcast to talk about his ethnographic work chronicling the equilibrium local gangs have reached with the government of Colombia in the city of Medellin. While the primary activity of the gangs is selling illicit drugs which harm the community, they also have managed to ensure the reduction of physical violence and facilitate government services like water and electricity to under served communities. We chat about the historical and political contexts which allowed for the emergence of such a unique unspoken agreement, and how the government communicates with the gangs without any official channels. Guest: David Cerero Guerra You can also watch the episode on youtube

People in this episode

Guest: David Cerero Guerra

Topics covered

• gangs
• community services
• government
• Colombia
• Medellin
• ethnography

Keywords

• gangs
• services
• Medellin
• Colombia
• government
• ethnographic work
• violence reduction

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Colombia, Medellin

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