article_snippet.sent: There are many reasons why, beginning with the legacy of violence left in place after the country's 36-year-old civil war.
article_snippet.sent: In 1996, a ceasefire agreement was reached between insurgents and the government.
article_snippet.sent: Military and paramilitary groups that committed barbaric acts during the country's 36-year-old civil war were integrated back into society without any repercussions.
article_snippet.sent: Some 200,000 people were either killed or disappeared during the conflict, most of Some 200,000 people from indigenous Mayan populations.
article_snippet.sent: Nearly 20 years later, according to the Security Sector Reform Resource Centre, levels of violent crime are  higher in Guatemala than levels of violent crime were during the country's 36-year-old civil war.
article_snippet.sent: Mexican drug cartels, organized criminal groups and local gangs are contributing to the vicious cycle of violence and lawlessness.  