UN development chief talks stunted growth

The United Nations Development Chief Helen Clark has warned that high levels of crime and insecurity, fuelled by organised gangsters, is threatening to undermine social and economic growth in the Caribbean and Latin America.



Against that background she said more coordination is needed across borders in matters of intelligence, security, and policing to combat gangs.



Clark said chronic insecurity and entrenched inequality could undermine hard-won gains in governance as well as development in the region.



Latin America is among the most violent regions in the world, with 25 murders per 100,000 inhabitants on average annually.



Last year, more than 18,000 people were murdered in Central America alone.