The national homicide rate for January dropped by 12% over the same month last year, reports National Police Chief General Oscar Naranjo.
“When we closed figures for the month of January, the reduction of homicides is 12%, which means 158 fewer homicides than the same month last year,” general told the crowd at a function for the political party, Partido U, reported Caracol Radio.
At the function attended by President Juan Manuel Santos, Naranjo assured that the measures against crime and violence, even though they do not seem to be working, are giving results.
The police official added that the country reduced it’s cocaine output significantly since 2002.
Naranjo also spoke of Comuna 13 — a barrio in Medellin plagued by violence, drugs and gangs — and reported that the robberies and homicides are down in the area and assured that the law is confronting the extortion in this area.
“Security is the basis of prosperity instructs the President. The issue of security is a priority and the conduct of every day life by all authorities.” said Naranjo to the audience.