Information on the Llanos de Patos region or the recent activities of Black Shadow (Sombra Negra) could not be found among the sources consulted by the DIRB. However, a 28 March 1997 Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA) article mentions that the Black Shadow death squad seems to have "disappeared from the public spotlight."

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA). 28 March 1997. BC Cycle. Klaus Blume. "Teenage Gangs Rule the Roost in El Salvador's Slums." (NEXIS)

Central America NewsPak [Austin]. Fortnightly. 8 July 1996-30 Mar. 1997

Central America Report [Guatemala City]. Weekly. 6 June 1996-13 Mar. 1997.

Central American Dialogue for Security and Demilitarization [Guatemala]. Jan.-May 1996.

Centroamerica: The Month in Review [Minneapolis]. Monthly. Jan. 1996-Dec. 1996

CJ: The Americas [Chicago]. Bi-monthly. Feb.-Nov. 1996.

CJ: International [Chicago]. Bi-monthly. Sept. 1995-Dec. 1996.

Crime and Justice International [Chicago]. Monthly. Jan.-Apr. 1997.

Foreign Broadcast Information Service (FBIS). Daily. July 1996-present. [Internet Version]

Latinamerica Press [Lima]. Weekly. Jan. 1996-Apr. 1997.

Mesoamerica [San Jose]. Monthly. Apr. 1996-Mar. 1997.

One oral source consulted did not provide information on the requested subject.

On-line search of media sources.