No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeTopicsCrimeCosta Rica Reaches Grim 900 Homicides Milestone in 2023

Costa Rica Reaches Grim 900 Homicides Milestone in 2023

Costa Rica has sadly reached the grim milestone of 900 homicides in 2023. This represents an unprecedented figure in the country’s history, causing deep concern among both authorities and citizens.

The Judicial Investigation Agency confirmed that early this morning, at approximately 12:10 a.m., a 33-year-old man named Acuña was fatally shot in Lomas del Río, Pavas. His lifeless body was discovered on the street, bearing at least six gunshot wounds to the head.

The statistics are truly alarming, with one person being murdered every 9.6 hours throughout the year.

“We have been issuing warnings about this almost since the beginning of the year, emphasizing the urgent need for extraordinary measures by the Ministry of Security and greater coordination with the Judicial Investigation Organism to implement containment and prevention efforts. This was to prevent reaching the unfortunate milestone we are facing today — 900 homicides,” expressed Gustavo Mata, the former Minister of Security.

The primary motive behind these violent deaths appears to be score-settling or revenge, resulting in nearly 600 cases, almost 200 more than the previous year. This underscores that homicides are largely attributed to drug gangs vying for territorial control and drug sales within the country.

Firearms, including pistols, rifles, or large-caliber weapons, are identified as the primary contributors to these deaths, accounting for 726 murders, according to data from the OIJ.

“Numerous warnings were issued regarding the imperative need to take urgent measures to prevent this surge in violence from breaking historical records. Unfortunately, we find ourselves now at 900 homicides,” lamented Daniel Calderon, former director of the Public Security Forces and former vice minister of Security.

San José and Limón persist as the provinces with the highest number of murders in 2023, each exceeding 200 cases.

Authorities project that 2023 will conclude with a figure close to 915 homicides. They express concern that, given the current scenario, this figure may be surpassed again in 2024.

“We anticipate a very similar trend for the upcoming year, potentially with an even higher figure. In addition to being a cocaine warehouse for the South, we have observed an increase in domestic consumption,” added Mata.

Trending Now

Costa Rica Opens New Pedestrian Bridge at Guayabo National Monument

Costa Rica has added a new attraction to its archaeological sites with the opening of a pedestrian bridge at Guayabo National Monument. The structure...

Costa Rica Court Sanctions Road Official Over Delayed Wildlife Crossings

Costa Rica’s wildlife faces perils, as authorities have continously failed to build wildlife crossings. Nonetheless, the Constitutional Court has taken a firm stance in...

Venezuelan Migrants Describe Torture After Deportation to El Salvador

“You’re going to rot in here. You’ll spend 300 years in prison.” That’s what Maikel Olivera says guards repeatedly told him during his four-month...

Costa Rica’s Poás Volcano Park Reopening to Tourists With Safety Measures

The Poás Volcano National Park will reopen its doors to tourism starting July 30, after  scientific entities reported a decrease in volcanic activity. This was...

Why I Choose Real Life in Costa Rica Over the AI Hype

When it comes to AI, call me OG. Old school. I sometimes wish I could go back to a time before it existed. Artificial...

Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s Drowning in Costa Rica Ruled Accidental

The death of American actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner has been confirmed as accidental drowning, according to Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ). Warner, 54, was...
spot_img
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica