12 most dangerous cities in Mexico, measured by homicides per capita

The nation of Mexico There are 130 million people living in 31 states (Mexico City is a separate entity but not a state in itself, similar to Washington, DC in the United States). Unfortunately, Mexican cities are often the scene of violent crimes, including murder, due to several factors. Here we will describe the details most dangerous cities in Mexico and provide some information about their history.

Over the past two decades, Mexico’s economy has been on a downward trend as organized crime has expanded and supplied illegal drugs to the United States and other foreign markets. gang violence and other violent crimes. Drug cartels typically operate in cities where they can establish drug trafficking routes, i.e. coastal port cities and border towns bordering the US.

During the research we used a national heat map created by Mexican data scientist Diego Valle-Jones, which describes the murder rates of individual cities based on statistics collected over the past twelve months by the Mexican justice system.

We then filtered this data to select only for local populations of more than 100,000 residents, because cities with small sample sizes can create statistical outliers over a short period of time.

1. Manzanillo, Colima (134)

Manzanillo is one of the most active shipping ports in Mexico as well as a hub for domestic air travel, making it a likely location for trafficking through both local drug markets and internationally. This area is often known as the most dangerous city in Mexico, and also one of the most dangerous cities in the world.

The current murder count stands at 134, while the population only hovers around 200,000 inhabitants. Manzanillo was previously known as a tourist destination thanks to its beaches and accessibility, but foreign governments have recently done the same warned travelers against visiting the state of Colima due to the serious violence in the region.

2. San Luis, Sonora (128.5)

San Luis is located just south of Yuma, Arizona, separated by the Colorado River. Its proximity to the neighboring US city makes it an excellent base for local criminal enterprises.

The violent crime rate currently stands at 128.5 with a population of 209,000, almost matching Manzanillo.

3. Apatzingán, Michoacán (128.3)

Unlike many dangerous cities in Mexico, Apatzingán is located inland, away from the sea or the northern border. The city is historically important because Mexican independence from Spain was officially declared here in 1814.

Unfortunately, Apatzingan today is home to competing drug cartels and a major producer of methamphetamine in the region. The current murder rate is 128.3 with a population of 129,000.

4. Temixco, Morelos (115)

Temixco is a local manufacturing center employing 126,000 people and was once the site of a internment camp for Japanese immigrants during World War II. The city is also close to historical monuments, including the architecture of local indigenous tribes.

It has also become a hotbed for drug-related violence, with a murder rate of 115 per 100,000 residents.

5. Villa de Álvarez, Colima (114)

Villa de Alvarez borders the capital of Colima (mentioned below) and suffers from many of the same drug gang problems as its sister city. This municipality is one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the region, with a murder rate of 114 out of a population of 158,000.

The local economy is primarily centered around the growing and shipping of fruit.

6. Cuatla, Morelos (113.1)

Cuatla, Morelos, was an important place during the Mexican Revolution of the 1910sas many battles took place in the surrounding region between Emiliano Zapata’s forces and the Federal Army. Zapata’s body was also buried in the city after his assassination in 1919.

One hundred years later, Cuatla is again the scene of violence, with a murder rate of 113.1 for a population of 192,000.

7. Yautepec de Zaragoza, Morelos (97.2)

In historical times, this former Aztec city was a common travel point for Catholic missionaries. Yautepec also boasts some of the most temperate climates in Mexico, so it is a frequent location for local festivals and is a popular swimming destination.

Like much of Morelos, it is unfortunately also subject to crime. The violence rate is 97.2 in a population of 108,000.

8. Tecate, Baja California (95.2)

Like Tijuana, Tecate is a popular gateway to Mexico from California and is home to a variety of manufacturing industries, including textiles, metals and plastics. As you might have guessed, Tecate beer is also brewed here.

Like other major border cities, this city has problems with drug trafficking and violent crime. The current population is 112,000 with a homicide rate of 95.2.

9. Zamora, Michoacan (91.6)

Zamora is a popular stop for tourists and religious residents alike, as it contains much surviving Catholic architecture from the colonial period. Its economy is mainly centered around agriculture and livestock farming, but its location between major Mexican cities such as Morelia and Guadalajara also makes it a frequent site of gang violence, with a murder rate of 91.6 in a population of 108,000.

10. Tijuana, Baja California (80.8)

Tijuana is the second most populous area in Mexico after Mexico City, with just over 2 million inhabitants. Its location near the border has also consistently made it one of the most violent cities in the country, with a murder rate of 80.8.

However, jobs in industries like automotive are driving people to Tijuana in droves, and many Americans are likely to pass through the city when entering Mexico by land.

11. Acapulco de Juárez, Guerrero (74.7)

This beach town south of Mexico City was once one of the top tourist destinations in Mexico thanks to its lavish resorts and cruise ship docks. Its location on Mexico’s Pacific coast has also made it an important part of the shipping industry.

Unfortunately, the past few years have been tough Acapulcowith cartels setting up local criminal markets and potential tourists being warned not to visit the port city. The murder rate is 74.7 out of a population of 789,000.

12. Colima City, Colima (72.7)

This state capital Colima features shipping ports and nearby agricultural industries. These things make the city economically relevant, but also make it a suitable place for criminal activities and fights against drug cartels. The current murder rate is 72.2 out of a population of 163,000.

Violent crimes in general terms

To track cases of homicide in certain locations, statisticians have established a standard known as the homicide rate. This is the number of reported murders per 100,000 inhabitants over a certain period of time, usually one year.

On a national scale, Mexico’s homicide rate has remained the same pinged up and downwhich declined over the course of the 1990s to a rate roughly comparable to that in the United States.

Beginning in 2007, the number of reported homicides begins to increase, possibly coinciding with the increase in opioid and methamphetamine use in the US. The rate peaked in 2018 at 29.58 homicide deaths per 100,000, and now appears to be slowly declining again over the past five years.

Violence against women is also a particular concern for the Mexican government, as are female victims increased proportionately by 135 percent since 2015.

The most likely problems associated with these murder trends are drug trafficking, money laundering operations and corrupt police forces allegedly under the control of organized crime groups.

Like many other countries, cities in Mexico often witness gang violence. Mexico also includes hundreds of rural areas that are relatively free of local criminal gangs and conflict between drug cartels.

Original article: 12 most dangerous cities in Mexico, measured by homicides per capita