Also, when the government's military is less powerful (or too corrupt, will not fight) than the gang's military, the gang is now the government (owner). There is no "peace" versus armed gangs with more power and money than the gov.
On the one hand I admire the industriousness and perseverance in the economy. On the other, they cut people's faces off and deserve to die. Its a wierd coin, that's for sure.
All governments do horrific things because all a government is is the most powerful organized violent group in an area. That's all government ever has been.