Mexico's Murder Rate Is Now At A Record High

A police officer looked on as members of a forensic team worked at a crime scene where a man was gunned down in Cancún, Mexico, on Sunday. Photo: Israel Leal/Reuters

Wall Street Journal: Mexico’s Murder Rate Hits Highest Level in Decades

The number of homicides rose 27% last year, highlighting the challenge facing President-elect López Obrador

The number of murders in Mexico rose sharply last year, pushing the homicide rate to its highest level since at least 1990 as violence among drug gangs persisted and highlighting the challenge faced by the incoming administration to contain criminal violence.

The National Statistics Institute said Monday the number of murders rose 27% last year to 31,174, the most on record going back to 1990 and equivalent to 25 per 100,000 inhabitants. The homicide rate rose from 20 per 100,000 in 2016, and was above the recent high of 24 in 2011.

Criminal violence began soaring in 2008 after the government engaged the military and federal police in efforts to rein in powerful drug gangs that were taking control of hot spots around the country. After a lull from 2012 to 2014, the violence took off again in 2015.

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WNU Editor: The economy, crime, and Mexican citizens fleeing the country for a better life will be the biggest problems facing President-elect López Obrador when he assumes office later this year.

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