Is Al-Qaida Recruiting Central American Gangs?

Oscar Alvarez, Honduras' most outspoken cabinet member, says that Al-Quaida is recruiting Central American gang members to "carry out regional attacks and slip terrorists into the United States." U.S. and Central American officials have found no evidence to support this claim, however. Some human rights groups have accused Alvarez of using this story to justify his severe crack-down on gangs.
The U.S. has been worried for some time that terrorists would find their way over the Mexican border. Mexican authorities are keeping a very close eye on drug and smuggling activites to prevent this from happening. There has been one confirmed report of a member of Al-Qaida staying in Central America. Suspected terrorist Adnan G. El Shukrijumah stayed in Panama for 10 days in April, 2001. Full Story