Guatemala City/Prensa Latina
Despite the perception of violence in Guatemala, Deputy Minister of Security Claudia Palencia today highlighted a decrease to date of 141 homicides compared to the same period last year.
In an interview with La Red Noticias, the official from the Ministry of the Interior explained that, throughout the first months of 2024, the data shows a constant decline in violent incidents.
His statements were related to the impeachment this afternoon of the head of the organization, Francisco Jiménez, regarding the actions of youth gangs or criminal groups.
Among other issues that will have to be clarified in Parliament is the security of congressmen and prisons, in addition to the plan that applies to the population.
Data from the National Economic Research Center (CIEN) showed that the murder rate per 100,000 inhabitants in the country continues to show a downward trend.
The rate closed at 16 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants in the first six months of this year, he said, adding that the decline has been consistent since 2009, when the rate reached an alarming 46.5.
However, he noted, this downward trend reached its lowest point in 2020, due to mobility restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, when it registered 15.2.
In the first six months of President Bernardo Arévalo’s government, the rate reached 16.0 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants, a figure lower than that of 2023, of 16.7, CIEN emphasized.
This year’s rate represents the largest reduction in the last three decades, the agency said, based on National Civil Police records.
Comparing the figures, he exemplified that in the department of Sololá in 2023, 18 homicides were recorded, while so far this year only two have been recorded.
However, according to analysts, one of the main challenges facing Arévalo and his administration is the lack of public safety in the 22 departments.
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