Teenagers of El Salvador’s rival gangs coexist in prison | Making Peace Ep 5

0 Views

Thanks! Share it with your friends!

You disliked this video. Thanks for the feedback!

Published Jun 16, 2026

In El Salvador, a sweeping state of emergency has led to the widespread detention of young women connected to MS-13 or Barrio 18. Many are taken into custody in large-scale operations aimed at regaining control of communities long marked by gang influence.

Inside one of the country’s prisons, Andrea, Mayte, and Gámez - each tied to rival groups - now share the same cell. What began in confrontation slowly shifts as daily routines, structured activities, and the guidance of figures like Dolores, the prison director, help them navigate life together. Through this fragile coexistence, they begin to find moments of calm in a place built on separation and control.

As they speak openly about their pasts and channel their dreams into improvised rap verses, the young women imagine a life beyond the prison walls. Yet uncertainty hangs over every hope: they do not know when, or if they will be able to reunite with their families under the country’s new security policies.

Original film title: The Light Within
A film by Fatima Lianes

Watch the other episodes of Making Peace: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzGHKb8i9vTzUsxKB7R7sGP0T4CI9_k4B

Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe
Follow us on X : https://twitter.com/AJEnglish
Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera
Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/
Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aljazeeraenglish/
Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.news/AJEMobile

#MakingPeace #documentary #ElSalvador