Costa Rica homicides increase by 50 percent, reach “epidemic” levels

August 4^th, 2015 (ICR News) The number of recorded homicides in Costa Rica during the first half of this year grew an alarming 50% compared to the first half of 2014, according to the latest data released by the Judicial Investigative Police (OIJ).

The OIJ recorded 269 homicides between January and June this year, compared to the 179 recorded during the same period in 2014.  That figure is a new record for the country.

Using data for the past 12 months – from June 2014 to June of this year – Costa Rica’s homicide rate now stands at 12.4 per 100,000 inhabitants.  The World Health Organization (WHO) describes a homicide rate of 10 per 100,000 inhabitants or greater as an “epidemic.”

However, officials say, the spike in homicides is mostly attributable to an increase in gang warfare between narco groups competing for turf, especially in the areas south of the capital San Jose such as Desamparados and Alajuelita, and does not necessarily reflect an increase in violence against common citizens.

Of the 269 homicides recorded during the first six months of the year, 126 were in the province of San Jose, followed by the province of Limon with 56.  The most violent month so far this year was March, with 51 murders in total.

Attorney General Jorge Chavarria said that violence in the country was “approaching a point of no return,” after a triple murder in Desamparados over the weekend.

For his part, Public Security Minister Gustavo Mata told reporters that unlike past years, criminals are “killing fewer citizens for their cell phones or to rob their homes” and are instead killing each other in turf wars.

“People are being killed, people are dying who are involved in drug trafficking.  Both the victims and the perpetrators have criminal records.  They are fighting over territory to sell drugs,” Mata said.