Colombia’s homicide rate drops 18%, overall crime lowers: Ministry of Defense

Police pose on Bolivar Square

A report from Colombia’s Ministry of Defense states that in the past year, homicides in the country have dropped 18%.

The Ministry of Defense released a series of videos on Tuesday that highlight the diminishing crime in the country, including lowered rates of homicide and robbery.

The videos attempt to convey that this drop in crime is made possible “thanks to the support of the community for the National Police.”

Homicide Rate

In the past year, the homicide rate has dropped 18% according to the Ministry of Defense. This constitutes the lowest rate in the last 12 years.

Homicides January -May. Credit: Ministry of Defense

From January to May 2013, there were 6,577 homicides, compared to 5,386 during the same time period this year.

The overall homicide rate in 2013 also dropped from the previous year, from 35 homicides per 100,000 people in 2012 to 32.3 in 2013.

MORE: Colombia’s homicide rate hits lowest level in 27 years

The United Nations (UN) published a report in April that ranked Colombia with the 10th highest murder rate in the world.

MORE: Colombia has 10th highest homicide rate in the world:UN

Robbery

Mugging in Colombia fell 4% over the last year, the Ministry of Defense reported.

From January to May of 2013; 39,518 people were mugged in comparison to 37,779 during the same time period of 2014.

Personal Robbery January-May. Credit: Ministry of Defense.

Additional videos showed that the business robberies dropped by 17% this year, the Ministry of Defense reported.

The robbery of motorcycles was lowered by 13%, while car theft “continues dropping.”

House break-ins were also dropping, with a reduction of 16% over the last year.

Sources

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