Colombian authorities on Thursday announced that there were 105 homicides in the Colombian capital of Bogota this January, 11 more than the same period in 2016.
According to figures released by the Prosecutor General’s office homicides increased 11.7% between January 1 and February 1 of this year. These figures are based on information provided by forensics agency Medicina Legal.
According to City Noticias, violent murders were recorded in 15 of Bogota’s 20 districts.
Bogota crime statistics
The most dangerous area in January was the Bosa district with 15 homicides. Ciudad Bolivar and Rafael Uribe Uribe followed closely with 14 homicides in each.
The other districts affected were Kennedy (13), Usme (9), Tunjuelito (8), Suba (6), San Cristobal (5), Engativa (4), Usquen (4), Santa Fe (4) and los Martires (4).
According to El Tiempo, aggression and “settling of scores” were the most common motives with 61 cases. Quarrels were the cause of 20 deaths, and there were 10 assassinations.
Homicides down in Bogota and Cali, up in Medellin
These latest figures will be cause of concern for Mayor Enrique Peñalosa who in January claimed that the security situation was improving in the capital with a 6% decrease in violent deaths in 2016.
Bogota has traditionally enjoyed lower homicide rates than other major cities in Colombia with street crime in the capital among the country’s highest.