Gangs Use Compassion for Profit

In Honduras, public compassion can translate in to big money. At least that is what thugs in Tegucigalpa are betting on. Gangs are renting children from their parents, in the hopes that the mentally or physically challenged innocents will net a large profit over the holidays.

In the past, children that beg on the streets were accompanied by a relative or a parent; however, there is a growing number that are now being rented-out and handled by gangs, according to José Manuel Capellín, director of Casa Alianza, an NGO that works with street children.

Kids who are physically disfigured are most at risk of being taken advantage of, according to a special report by LaTribuna newspaper.

“Those most rented and sold are those that are sick, paraplegic, and have other physical ailments — because they get the most compassion from the public, and therefore more money,” Capellín said.
The crimes are especially prevalent around the holiday season.
Capellín lays the blame on the parents, but also on the lack of presence by the authorities.

Agents of the Immediate Response Unit of the Honduran police tell the paper that just last week they rescued newborn twin boys that were being sold by their parents for 1,000 lempiras, or $52.76 US on the streets of Comayaguela, Honduras. They report an increase in the number of calls reporting abuse of minors.

The Attorney for Human Rights of the Honduran Ministry of Justice, Sandra Ponce, called for immediate action to protect the children from being use by these predatory gangs.


You must be logged in to post a comment Login