The number of homicides in Costa Rica in just three weeks of the beginning of the year reaches 39 murders, however, there are localities that remain below compared to the previous year, experts analyze today.
Specialists from the Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) reported that it recorded an average of 2.2 homicides per day during the first half of 2024.
The OIJ authorities closely monitor the behaviour in the two coastal provinces, the Caribbean Limón and the western Puntarenas, with 13 and nine violent deaths respectively.
They point out that in the provinces such as the capital San José and the Alajuela, Cartago and Heredia plants, fewer murders occurred compared to the same period the previous year.
With regard to the age of the victims, 14 homicides occurred in the population between 18 and 29 years, 11 between 30 and 39 and seven in the age group 40-49.
Two people between 50 and 64 years of age, one of 12 to 17 and the same number in those over 65 years of age, the authorities detailed.
Costa Rica has been experiencing an unprecedented wave of homicides for some time and 907 murders were counted in the recently concluded year.
This situation is of concern to the authorities and work is being done, both the executive branch, the judiciary and the legislature to tighten some laws and try to curb the crime and drug trafficking that is based in this Central American nation.
This article has been translated from the original which first appeared in El Pais