SAN JOSE, March 2 (NNN-PRENSA LATINA) — Homicides rose in Costa Rica to 146 in just two months, in the midst of the worst insecurity crisis that the country is experiencing in a long time.
Most of the murders (63) occurred due to settling of scores or revenge during events linked to drug trafficking, according to a report by the Judicial Investigation Organism (OIJ) on the first days of the year, the newspaper El Observador added.
According to the source, four crimes were committed during arguments or fights, 11 in domestic scenes and three linked to other crimes, such as assaults, and various criminal acts that ended in homicide, while the cause of 64 has yet to be determined.
The most frequent means of extermination were firearms, used in 114 aggressions, while the age with the most victims is between 18 and 29 years old, with 56 deaths.
According to the OIJ, 2023 was the most violent year in the history of the country, with 905 murders, while 2024 was the second, with 880, and the statistics for 2025 lead to gloomy forecasts by experts and specialized institutions.
According to Diario Extra, Costa Rica’s homicide rate is higher than that of Guatemala, a country with a high incidence of violent deaths years ago, and is close to that of Mexico, which has one of the highest homicide rates in the region. — NNN-PRENSA LATINA
