Venezuela crime rate & statistics for 2015 was 52.04, a 17.85% decline from 2014. However, some things travelers should be aware of before they go. In the year 2000, the rate was only 58 per 100,000 people. [48], Chvez's successor, Nicols Maduro, has also initiated programs trying to combat crime. Thousands of oil engineers emigrated to Canada, Colombia, and the United States following CHAVEZ's firing of over 20,000 employees . There have been several high profile kidnappings that have resulted in murder, including the killings of three minor Canadian brothers, a wealthy Italo-Venezuelan businessman, and the daughter of a senior Venezuelan military commander. [63] On 15 February 2014, a commander for the Guard was stopped while driving to Valencia with his family and was arrested for having 554 kilos of cocaine in his possession. [24], The U.S. Bureau of Diplomatic Security says most of the violence comes from organized street gangs, and attributes criminal activity to four factors: "often corrupt" underpaid police, an "inefficient and politicized judicial system", problems in the prison system, and widespread availability of weapons. According to United Nations, the homicides rate in Venezuela was 53.7 murders per 100,000 persons in 2012; that's higher than figures for many other Latin American countries, including Colombia . Prison population rate (per 100,000 of national population) 1959 . [34][35] Attorney General Luisa Ortega Daz stated to the United Nations that the rate was 62 per 100,000 for 2014, nearly twice as high as claimed in 2013. [citation needed] This is due to Venezuela's economic problems. In the mid-1970s Lesotho witnessed a murder rate of 141 per 100,000, while more recently Columbia's murder rate was variously estimate at between 63 and 84 per 100,000. Venezuela ranks fourth in the world for cocaine seizures, behind Colombia, the United States, and Panama. [81] Some weapons given to the groups include assault rifles, submachine guns and grenades. [139] According to Alessio Bruni of the United Nations Committee against Torture, "a typical problem of the prison system is gun violence, nearly circulating freely within prisons, causing hundreds and hundreds of people killed every year" with the UN committee alarmed at reports that between 2004 and 2014, 4,791 inmates were killed and 9,931 injured. 2020 MPD Law Enforcement Officers Killed or Assaulted; 2019 MPD Law Enforcement Officers Killed or Assaulted; The crime rate in the United State is 47.77 which is more than 55 countries. The report stated that 33% of kidnappings occurred in the capital city of Caracas and that hundreds of kidnappings happen every year. The U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 4 travel advisory for Venezuela, indicating that it is unsafe to travel to the country, and travelers should not travel there. Level of crime: 93.11: Very High: Crime increasing in the past 3 years: 86.72: Very High: Worries home broken and things stolen: 76.20: High: Worries being mugged or robbed . The police allegedly collaborated with the robbers, receiving a cut of what they stole. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. Deaths in street crime are so common that one of Venezuela's principal NGOs, the Venezuelan Violence Observatory, is launching an advertising campaign featuring . In an interview with Prison Minister Iris Varela, the minister explained how all prisons were under her control and that there was no anarchy. 18 December 2020. United States of America. [84] The Civil Association for Citizen Control said that more than half of those killed during the protests were killed by colectivos. Many people are victimized by crime because of fear and the perceived inability of Venezuela's criminal justice system to prevent crime. If you use our chart images on your site or blog, we ask that you provide attribution via a link back to this page. San Pedro Sula, in the northwest of the country, is at the center of much of this small Central American country's violence. Most robbery victims who have resisted criminal demands have usually been seriously injured as a result of their noncompliance. 08-01-2021 14:08:00 ZULU. If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again. [15] The murder rate declined even further to 60.3 in 2019. Subsequently, these areas are difficult to police. Belize - 37.79. [5] This introduced to the Venezuelan population the notion of not following the societal rules and using violence to achieve goals, such as widespread looting during the Caracazo or by attempting to commit undemocratic coups such as in 1992. Crime in Venezuela is widespread, with violent crimes such as murder and kidnapping increasing annually. Thor Halvorssen, founder of the Human Rights Foundation[17], Under Hugo Chvez, the "institution" of Venezuela deteriorated, with political instability, impunity and violent government language increasing. Many unaffiliated criminals are also increasingly involved in kidnappings, either dealing with victim's families directly or selling the victim to terrorist groups. [144][145], In 2014, on average, Venezuelan prisons held 231% of their capacity, according to Alessio Bruni of the U.N. Committee against Torture. The elevated risk for local employees can be attributed to disparity between upscale expatriate neighborhoods and the rest of the city. Economic Indicators for Venezuela including actual values, historical data, and latest data updates for the Venezuela economy. While the government has refused to release its own statistics for years, a recent report by an NGO, the Venezuelan Observatory on Violence, estimates that 24,000 people were murdered in 2013 . Venezuela crime rate & statistics for 2017 was 49.88, a 14.47% decline from 2016. A non-government organisation says Venezuela has the world's highest murder rate - many of them extrajudicial killings by police.And an elite special forces . 2. The 2010 ranking placed Venezuela at number 164, out of 178 ranked countries. But the Venezuelan Violence Observatory, a nongovernmental group, estimated that there were 27,875 murders that year, which would make Venezuela's homicide rate one of the highest in the world . "The perception of petroleum as the cause of Venezuela's corruption had become widespread during this period." . Levels of gratuitous violence are on the increase and the majority of criminals use lethal weapons in the course of carrying out their activities. But the Venezuela Violence Observatory, a respected nonprofit group, estimates that murders dropped from 89 per 100,000 people in 2017 to 81.4 last year. [146], In May 2020, inmates rioted at the Llanos Penitentiary Center in Guanare, leading to 40 deaths. By comparison, the United States' current rate is about 4.7 deaths per 100,000. Venezuela - Crime. The age of criminal responsibility is 18 years. 10 Facts about Violence in Venezuela. Police support, both from the national and municipal levels, varies. Venezuela's 30 prison facilities are operated by the Ministry of Justice throughout the country, and the prison population is 40 percent over capacity. [63], In September 2013, an incident involving men from the Venezuelan National Guard placing 31 suitcases containing 1.3 tons of cocaine on a Paris flight astonished French authorities. Crime. Home invasions have occurred in buildings where U.S. Embassy employees reside. [88] An Organization of American States report on human rights violations in Venezuela stated that colectivos murdered at least 131 individuals between 2014 and 2017 during the anti-government protests. Police are unable to protect less affluent neighborhoods, and as a result, crime is quite common and criminals operate with impunity. Crime in Venezuela is widespread, with violent crimes such as murder and kidnapping increasing annually. Maracaibo has a crime index of 83.25 and a safety index of 16.75, which is still lower than Caracas and many other big cities - but it might be a bit higher than you're willing to face. Are you interested in testing our business solutions? Venezuela has been in an economic crisis since the election of Hugo Chavez in 1998 when the country's oil-based socialist economy began to rapidly decline. [112][113] In 2014, former Miss Venezuela 2004 winner Monica Spear and her husband were murdered with her 5-year-old daughter being shot while visiting, and an elderly German tourist was murdered only a few weeks later. Statisticians and police have openly stated that only 30-40% of all kidnappings get reported to the police. Let's get into it. [63] Venezuelan officials have also been allegedly working with Mexican drug cartels. For adolescents from 10 to 19 years of age, the homicide rate is 39 per 100,000 people; for males between of those ages, the rate is 74 per 100,000, while it's just 3 per 100,000 for females in . [5] In the 1960s following the restoration of democracy, insecurity rose when FALN leftist guerrillas participated in violent confrontations with the government, though such clashes subsided due to lack of public support for the guerrilla movement. Year End Reports. [6] Upon Chvez's death in 2013, Venezuela was ranked the most insecure nation in the world by Gallup. [130][dead link] The majority of Venezuelans also believed that there was a poor due process of law while also thinking that the criminal justice system was not timely and judgement was ineffective. [48] In 2013, consulting firm Control Risk ranked Venezuela 5th in the world for kidnappings, only behind Mexico, India, Nigeria and Pakistan. [54] According to experts, kidnappings and torture by the Directorate of Military Counterintelligence increased during the 8-year tenure of Hugo Carvajal. Table 1Crime in the United States, by Volume and Rate per 100,000 Inhabitants, 2000-2019 Table 1ACrime in the United States, Percent Change in Volume and Rate per 100,000 Inhabitants for 2 years, 5 years, and 10 years. Then you can access your favorite statistics via the star in the header. Venezuela 2020 Crime & Safety Report Kidnappings also increased in the second half of the year, and it became common to demand ransom in foreign currency. Colectivos are thought to be partially responsible for the increase in the Venezuelan murder rate, according to the Metropolitan Observatory on Citizen Security. In 1990, 31,861 violent crimes, 184,126 property crimes, and 6,405 drug crimes were reported. [58][59] According to Greg Palast, the claim about Chavez's $300 million is based on the following (translated) sentence: "With relation to the 300, which from now on we will call 'dossier', efforts are now going forward at the instructions of the cojo [slang term for 'cripple'], which I will explain in a separate note." [1], While Venezuelans were suffering from shortages in Venezuela, the occasional looting of trucks full of goods became more common in the country with the robberies being committed by criminal gangs. Much of Caracas crime and violence can be attributed to mobile street gangs and organized crime groups. Human rights groups suggest that the government's policing efforts are too "timid". [109] 2014 Gallup polls showed that only 19% of Venezuelans felt safe walking alone at night, with nearly one quarter of the respondents stating that they or a household member had money stolen from them in the past year. Is Venezuela poor? marked by a further increase in the number and rate of violent deaths" showing that in four years, the murder rate had increased from 25 per 100,000 in 1999 to 44 per 100,000 in 2003. . [78], At least 80% of kidnappings occur in a limited area around Caracas and including Miranda State. [93] FOX News says that, "Much of the crime has been attributed by analysts to government-backed gangsreferred to in Spanish as colectivoswho were deliberately put in place by the government", and that "while Venezuelan citizens were stripped of their legal recourse to bear arms, the 'collectivos'established by Chavez when came to powerwere legally locked and loaded," critics say. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, in murders per 100,000 people, the country is surpassed only by Cte d'Ivoire, El Salvador, and Honduras. Venezuela was once the wealthiest country in South America, but in recent years millions have fled the country amid mass starvation and violence after socialist policies were enacted and . [79] According to InSight Crime, there are over a dozen mega-gangs in Venezuela, with some having up to 300 members. Caracas continues to have one of the highest incidents of murder in the world. You only have access to basic statistics. More than 330 police officers were murdered across Venezuela last year, . In August the attorney general's office reported that of the more than 6 thousand police officers implicated in killings during the last 5 years, only 88 were convicted. In 1990, 31,861 violent crimes, 184,126 property crimes, and 6,405 drug crimes were reported. Millions of people have been pushed into poverty as a result of the country's years-long crisis. The police force is organized according to a quasi-military hierarchy and includes urban police agencies, the National Guard, state police, and municipal and provincial police forces. Edgardo Lander on Reality Asserts Itself (7/9)", "IACHR Reiterates Need to Prevent Acts of Violence in Venezuelan Prison", "Ria colectiva de Uribana cobra dos vidas y deja 128 heridos", "Coliseo en Uribana sigue y llega a 128 heridos", "Venezuela prison riot kills at least 40, including warden", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Crime_in_Venezuela&oldid=1127469872, This page was last edited on 14 December 2022, at 22:16. Maracaibo. Crime in Venezuela can be attributed to several factors; poverty, retribution, drugs, gangs, and politics. [41][46][47] According to the leaked INE report, only 1,332 investigations for kidnappings were opened or about 7% of the total kidnapping cases, with 90% of the kidnappings happening away from rural areas, 80% of all being express kidnappings and the most common victim being lower-middle or middle class Venezuelans and middle-aged men. While municipal police are tasked with responding to crimes, it is the national police that are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the cases. [69][70][71][72][73][74], According to the Trafficking in Persons Report 2014 by the State Department of the United States, "Venezuela is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor". * The figure refers to the violent death rate, which includes violent deaths in which the cause of death is unknown, as well as deadly confrontations involving security forces. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. [114][115], During the presidency of the Hugo Chvez, more than 20 programs were created attempting to deter crime, though insecurity continued to increase following their implementation. [91] As colectivos attempted to gain independence from the government, they began "controlling organized crime like drug trafficking in Caracas barrios". And, Qatar is the country with the least crime rate with 12.29 people per 100,000. The best of the best: the portal for top lists & rankings: Strategy and business building for the data-driven economy: Show sources information [80] Despite the Venezuelan government's statements saying that only official authorities can carry weapons for the defense of Venezuela, colectivos are armed with automatic rifles such as AK-47s, submachine guns, fragmentation grenades, and tear gas. Show publisher information Despite these high rates of violence, the international community knows relatively little about the dynamics underlying conflict in the city. [39], In 2009, it was reported that Venezuelan authorities would assign judicial police to Caracas area morgues to speak with families. . In mid-2004 Venezuela's estimated population totaled 26.2 million, which would be a murder rate of 42 per 100,000. Crime statistics indicate the crime rate rose from 700 per 100,000 population in 1972 to 1,300 per 100,000 population in 1990. Venezuela Drug Addiction Problem. Crime in Venezuela. Express kidnappings (secuestro express) have become more common than traditional kidnappings. [107] Petty crime such as pick-pocketing is prevalent, particularly in public transport terminals in Caracas. [18] The Bolivarian Revolution attempted to "destroy what previously existed, the status quo of society" with instability increasing. Challenging infrastructure problems and prolific corruption within law enforcement and the judicial system, continue to be important factors with regard to crime response and prevention. [1] Human Rights Watch claims that the "police commit one of every five crimes" and that thousands of people have been killed by police officers acting with impunity (only 3% of officers have been charged in cases against them). Venezuelan authorities claimed the incident was an escape attempt by inmates, while the Venezuelan Prison Observatory noted the inmates were angry over insufficient food and water and called for an investigation. Every Caracas neighborhood is susceptible to crime. [133] According to the Venezuelan Observatory of Prisons (OVP), from 1999 to 2015, there were 22,998 violent incidents, with 16,417 injured and 6,581 inmates killed. Citing government figures, a prominent opposition leader in Venezuela has said the country's impunity rate hovers at about 98 percent, an assertion that will likely feed rising perceptions of insecurity. The mass release, however, quickly overwhelmed the capacity of police to maintain order. [121] Some have criticized Plan Patria Segura calling it a failure after crime continued to increase following its implementation. [117][104] The United Nations has stated that the Venezuelan government is lacking 20,000 investigative police. Crimes are classified according to crimes against national security, administration of justice, public order, public trust, preservation of public and private interests, the family and public morals, and civilian property. 25 Years Population Growth Rate 1.44% Sex Ratio 0-14 Years - male/female 1.04 Sex Ratio 15-24 Years - male/female 1.01 Sex Ratio 25-54 Years - male/female . Police officers are authorized to use force, stop and apprehend suspects, and conduct searches and seizures. [32][33], The OVV puts the homicide rate for 2013 at approximately 79 per 100,000[27] and the murder rate in the capital Caracas at 122 per 100,000 residents. A lock ( They explained that "Weak security, deteriorating infrastructure, overcrowding, insufficient and poorly trained guards, and corruption allow armed gangs to effectively control prisons". If the experts are right, for the year 2009 there was an alarming 9.2 incidents of kidnapping per 100,000 inhabitants in Venezuela. In some cases, crime has grown so pervasive in Venezuela that the military is ordered to avoid public places during nighttime hours since criminals often attempt to steal their weapons, with robberies in the country often targeting unaware individuals using a kill first, steal later method. Caracas, Venezuela reputedly has a murder rate over 100 per 100,000. Backlinks from other websites and blogs are the lifeblood of our site and are our primary source of new traffic. [3] According to the Venezuelan government, the homicide rate in 2013 dropped from 50 to 39 per 100,000. Data prior to 2022 were retrieved from previous releases of the publication. By the end of 2019, there was an increase in the number of predatory crimes again as well as extortion by criminal elements and government officials. One prisoner explained how, If the guards mess with us, we shoot them and that he had "seen a man have his head cut off and people play football with it.[139], In a Journeyman Pictures documentary titled Venezuela - Party Prison, a reporter visits San Antonio Prison on Margarita Island. Sentences frequently were light, and convictions often were overturned on appeal. [13][14], In spite of significant socioeconomic problems, the murder rate in Venezuela decreased between 2017 and 2020. Food Shortages are Common. [78] The Bolivarian government was seen as being lenient on crime and justifying the criminals by saying they were poor and exploited. Private gun ownership was banned in Venezuela in June 2012, but their homicide rate went from 73 per 100,000 people in 2012 to 82 per 100,000 people in 2015. [5] By 1993, Venezuela's murder rate stood at 21 homicides per 100,000 people. Members of the security forces charged with or convicted of crimes rarely were imprisoned. [75][76][77], There was little history of organized crime in Venezuela until the start of the Bolivarian Revolution. But perhaps the most ironic contribution to Venezuela's high crime rate may lie in the failure of Chavez's government to fully deliver on the egalitarian . But even as crime climbs, the number of police battling criminals is falling. Murder rate : Homicide rate per year per 100,000 inhabitants in various countries. In 2015, 17,778 people were murdered in Venezuela; however, the VOV revealed that those numbers were as high as 27,875. Over the last several years, Venezuela has become a pivotal player in the international drug trafficking game. The ideal entry-level account for individual users. Originally, looters would wait for trucks to crash and loot the scene, though recently trucks have been attacked instead. . Police authorities cite a lack of resources, under-staffing, payroll issues and lack of response by the judicial and corrections systems, as the key reasons why response times are delayed and a significant amount of criminals go unpunished. [137] Over 40 inmates were killed and an unknown number of guards and inmates were wounded during a May 2020 incident at Los Llanos jail near the city of Guanare. Listed rates only reflect crimes that have been reported to the authorities. [5] The Bolivarian government then believed that violence and crime were due to poverty and inequality, though while the government boasted about reducing both poverty and inequality, the murder rate continued to increase in Venezuela. Rates of crime rapidly began to increase during the presidency of Hugo Chvez due to the institutional instability of his Bolivarian government, underfunding of police resources, and severe inequality. San Antonio Prison was controlled by El Conejo (The Rabbit), a powerful jailed drug trafficker who makes his "enforcers" patrol the prison. . According to the Public Ministrys 2010 annual report, approximately 9 percent of the 378,108 cases involving common crimes resulted in the filing of criminal charges. Victims do not have a role in sentencing unless they initiate the prosecution.
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