The violence in Mexico City is on the rise like never before: crimes committed with firearms – homicides, injuries and robberies with violence – have increased up to 250% in the last three years, in the most populated areas of the country’s capital.
Official figures on violence in Mexico City establish that between January and March of this year, 289 investigative files were opened for intentional homicides, homicides committed with a firearm went from 110 cases reported in the first quarter of 2016, to 170 in the same period of 2017, and 215 during the same period of 2018.
From January to March, the number of kidnapping cases increased by 550%, extortion increased 127%, business theft 62%, homicide 48%, vehicle theft 46% and drug dealing 31%, according to figures from Semáforo Delictivo regarding High Impact Crimes in the country.
Socio-family crimes also increased in the country’s capital: rape: 454% and family violence 17% . However, feminicide was down 10% and malicious injuries or fights 5%.
“With this significant rise in different types of crimes, the city is already located in “Red” when it comes to High Impact Crimes, only second to Nuevo Leon, Mexico City was the entity with the highest increase in homicides. We haven’t seen such an alarming situation in the nation’s capital in years, “said Santiago Roel, director of Semáforo Delicitivo.
Regarding firearms injuries, in the first three months of 2016, 330 investigation folders were reported, while 485 inquiries were initiated between January and March this year.
The Mexico City “alcaldías” with higher rates in High Impact Crimes are: Venustiano Carranza (8.1), Tláhuac (5.3), Iztapalapa (5.1), Álvaro Obregón (5.0) and Gustavo A. Madero (4.9).
Semáforo Delictivo is a citizen social project for peace in Mexico. It feeds on courageous citizen complaints and transparency efforts by responsible authorities.
The Yucatan Times Newsroom with information from:
