For a long time, violence was the norm in Guatemala. Crime Index Index By Country 2023 United States China United Kingdom Russia Germany France Japan Italy Canada 0 20 40 60. Guatemala + 4 more. Please do not hesitate to contact me. BUT theres a wealth of Guatemalan culture, history, and natural beauty to discover here. At just 25, she began working at the Guatemalan department of public prosecution. Her main task as a criminologist was to take photographs of victims of violence and the scenes where it had taken place. So you want to go to Guatemala Were all for it! [3] Khalil Musa reportedly knew president lvaro Colom, an advisor of whom told an American journalist that, if the Musas could be killed, there was a sense that anyone [in Guatemala] could be.[3], Guatemala finds itself located in the middle of the drug supply from South America and drug demand in the United States. Share this via Reddit Several countries located in Central America and the Caribbean registered some of the highest homicide rates in the Latin American region in 2020. Whether youve concerns on if its safe to drive in Guatemala, how safe it is for American tourists, and if its is for solo female travellers in Guatemala; its all in here! Still, taxis are one of the safest ways to get around at night. [18] Frequently, human trafficking cases are linked to transnational criminal organizations, such as trafficked children used by gangs to commit illegal activities. [7], The economic struggles of the country fuel participation in street violence as well. Human Rights Watch defends the rights of people in close to 100 countries worldwide, spotlighting abuses and bringing perpetrators to justice, Human Rights Watch is a 501(C)(3)nonprofit registered in the US under EIN: 13-2875808, Public Security, Corruption, and Criminal Justice, Separation of Powers and Judicial Independence, Accountability for Past Human Rights Violations, Bidens Challenge: Redeeming a US Role for Human Rights, Addressing the Climate Crisis in Times of Pandemic, From Flight Logs to Homeschooling, Human Rights Watch Grapples with Covids Challenges, As Online Gender-Based Violence Booms, Governments Drag Their Feet, The Other Pandemic: Fighting Inequality as We Beat Back Covid, Poverty, Pandemic, Police Violence: Ongoing Crises Demand the US Address Pervasive Racism. If theyre not interested in history or scenery, they might not have a good time either. Men's groups are trying to bring about change as femicide is on the rise. [7] The cultural difference between gangs and the rest of society and the overall intimidation of the gang image gives individual gang members considerable power and increased social capital. City. Whats going to make it even better is staying safe the whole time. Between the pandemic, cultural division, and a click-bait media, it can be hard to maintain what is truth and what is sensationalism. At the end of 2019, there were 25,303 people in Guatemala's prisons, despite the system's maximum capacity being 6,997 inmates an overpopulation rate of 363 percent. November 2020 . Current President Alejandro Giammattei, who took office in January 2020, supported ending the mandate. Whenever you get to a new destination, ask your accommodation if there are any areas or neighbourhoods to avoid. [5] Children commonly migrate to the United States, often to reunite with family, and to flee conditions related to crime like societal violence, abuse in the home, and social exclusion. US Agency for International Development. The bill could subject women who have miscarriages to prosecution. Share this via Telegram AVSF suspended its work in Guatemala while the murder was being investigated. [2] According to New Yorker magazine, in 2009, "fewer civilians were reported killed in the war zone of Iraq than were shot, stabbed, or beaten to death in Guatemala," and 97% of homicides "remain unsolved. Other ways to share [5] Such gangs began to proliferate in the mid-1990s after large numbers of undocumented Central American immigrants were deported from Los Angeles, particularly to El Salvador. [10], The fear of students by government takes much history into account. This guide is packed full of useful information regarding your Guatemala safety concerns. But travel warnings and stats don't paint a true picture of what it's actually like. The question of Is Guatemala Safe? will ALWAYS have a different answer depending on the parties involved. Are you interested in testing our business solutions? Guatemalan civil society organizations reported that, as of September, at least 21 LGBT people had been killed in 2021. You need a Statista Account for unlimited access. As soon as this statistic is updated, you will immediately be notified via e-mail. Accessed May 02, 2023. https://www.statista.com/statistics/984814/homicide-rate-guatemala/, InSight Crime. [5], The Guatemalan Civil War began in 1960 between the government and leftist actors, and it resulted in over 200,000 deaths. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) said at least eight human rights defenders had been murdered between June and August 2020. Ill give some special points for solo female travellers a little further down. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1361567/criminal-rate-by-type-of-offence-guatemala/, Most common crimes in Guatemala in 2021, by cases per 100,000 inhabitants, Available to download in PNG, PDF, XLS format, Economic cost of violence in Central America in 2021, by country, GDP share of economic violence cost in Central America in 2021, by country, Violence cost per capita in Central America in 2021, by country, People safety sensation share with an officer in Central America in 2021, by country, Prison occupancy levels in Central American countries 2022, Crime number in Belize in 2021, by district, Criminal share in Guatemala in 2021, by type of felony, Criminal offences amount by month in Guatemala in 2021, Domestic violence distribution in Guatemala in 2021, by group age of the victim, Guatemala: corruption perception index 2012-2022, Guatemala: bribery victimization rate 2021, Most frequent crimes in el Salvador by type 2022, Public opinion on El Salvadors main problems 2022, El Salvador: number of homicides 2016-2022, El Salvador: corruption perception index 2012-2022, El Salvador: bribery victimization rate 2021, Honduras: number of robbery and theft cases 2014-2020, Homicides number in Honduras 2022, by cause, number of femicide victims in Honduras 2022, Honduras: corruption perception index 2012-2022, Honduras: bribery victimization rate 2021, Reported crimes number in Nicaragua in 2021, by department, Nicaragua: most common property crimes 2021, Nicaragua: number of homicide and murder cases 2010-2021, Nicaragua: corruption perception index 2012-2022, Costa Rica: number of crimes by type 2021, Costa Rica: number of crimes by province 2021, Costa Rica: number of crimes by gender 2021, Costa Rica: most common property crimes 2019-2020, Costa Rica: number of homicides 2016-2021, Number of femicide cases in Costa Rica 2021, Panama: number of robbery and theft cases 2019-2020, Panama: corruption perception index 2012-2022, Panama: money laundering and terrorist financing risk 2015-2021, U.S.: number of reported violent crime 1990-2021, Number of violent crime victims U.S. 2005-2021, by gender, Violent crime severity index in Canada 2000-2021, Number of violent crime cases in Indonesia 2012-2021, Reported violent crime rate in the U.S. 2020, by state, U.S. midterm voters motivated by violent crime 2022, by age, Youth violent crime severity index in Canada 2000-2021, Prevalence rate of violent crime U.S. 2014-2021, by race/ethnicity, Number of violent crime victims U.S. 2014-2021, by ethnicity, Prevalence rate of violent crime U.S. 2005-2021, by age, Violent crime severity index in Canada 2021, by province, Canada: violent crime severity index 2021, by metropolitan area, Number of violent crime victims U.S. 2005-2021, by age, Prevalence rate of violent crime U.S. 2005-2021, by gender, Rate of violent crime victimization U.S. 2021, by type of crime, Metropolitan areas with the highest violent crime rate in the U.S. 2020, Change in violent crime rate in the U.S. 2020, by state, Fear of violent crime in Finland 2020, by place, Fear of violent crime outside home in Finland 2012-2020, Find your information in our database containing over 20,000 reports. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); There is no such thing as a perfect safety guide, and this article is no different. On August 10, Benoit Mara, representative of Agronomists and Veterinarians without Borders (AVSF), a French non-governmental organization (NGO), was assassinated by unknown individuals. The following month, the Constitutional Court temporarily suspended the changes, which would have allowed the government to shut down organizations for disturbing public order and to establish restrictions on their receiving international funds. Since then, her partner has been in pre-trial detention. That doesnt mean you can travel around without a care in the world, however. Also remember: the statistics for violent crimes in Guatemala are mainly down to gangs. Share this via Printer, As More Climate Chaos Looms, Slashing Fossil Fuels Is Key. [Online]. Theres a whole lot of amazing nature to explore here and history too. Natural disasters and volcanic eruptions occur are potentially the biggest threat to your safety in Guatemala. Are you interested in testing our business solutions? Overall Guatemala's homicide rate was 34 per 100,000 people in 2012. The murder rate in Guatemala decreased consistently from 2014 to 2020, when. Though, like anywhere you travel alone, there are some extra precautions to take. Rates of crime in Guatemala are very high. What Happens to Them? The same month, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights ordered Guatemala, in a binding ruling, to shelve the proposed legislation. In mid-March, transfers under the ACA were temporarily suspended in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2020, officials attacked media and individual journalists through discrediting remarks, false accusations, and anti-press rhetoric. Guatemala is another jewel on the Central American trail. This article has been translated from German. [5] Members of street gangs still do not constitute organized crime, but the mass incarcerations of youth gang members in Guatemala puts them in direct contact with leaders of organized crime networks who direct from prison, who assist street gangs organize and institutionalize themselves. To learn more about cookies, click here. If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again. [24] Amnesty International stated in 2007 that there is a "culture of impunity" with regard to homicide. Plan International; Posted statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account. UN Office on Drugs and Crime's International Homicide Statistics database. Zone 19. Attacks against human rights defenders and social leaders increased in early 2020, according to the nongovernmental organization Unidad de Proteccin a Defensoras y Defensores de Derechos Humanos de Guatemala (Udefegua). According to the International Crisis Group, Guatemala had been a primary landing zone for narcotics-laden flights until U.S.-supported interdiction efforts disrupted illegal flight shipments and forced traffickers to use land routes instead. Guatemala is also still a developing country. "Violence against women is part of everyday life here; it is normal, and no one is surprisedwhen a new femicide comes to light," said Quintela. [6] The inquiry had blamed the Guatemalan army for 90% of the war's 200,000 killings. But Guatemala hasnt always been the safest place in Central America and it still necessarily isnt. At least 160 women have been killed in the first four months of 2021 in Guatemala more than one per day. . If you use the chicken bus, stay very vigilant. On May 6, the Constitutional Court ordered Congress to move forward with appointments but required lawmakers to consider whether candidates met constitutional requirements and whether their names had surfaced in the criminal investigation. Profit from the additional features of your individual account. ", US Agency for International Development, Most common crimes in Guatemala in 2021, by cases per 100,000 inhabitants Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1361567/criminal-rate-by-type-of-offence-guatemala/ (last visited May 02, 2023), Most common crimes in Guatemala in 2021, by cases per 100,000 inhabitants [Graph], US Agency for International Development, October 13, 2022. Intentional homicide does not include all intentional killing; the difference is usually in the organization of the killing. Show publisher information Use Ask Statista Research Service, To download this statistic in XLS format you need a Statista Account, To download this statistic in PNG format you need a Statista Account, To download this statistic in PDF format you need a Statista Account. The province currently has 17 investigators and 1,027 police officers serving a population of more than 731,300 inhabitants. A connoisseur of the overland travel life, Claire is a blogger hailing from the UK with a wealth of experience all over the globe. For a long time, Guatemala wasnt necessarily safe but that never stopped us. [citation needed] The countries with the highest crime and violence rates in Central America are El Salvador and Honduras. Again, thank you! But religious authorities continue to oppose change. Tourist areas are generally a sign that the area is safe. Scams, petty crime, robberies, gang violence, and volcanic eruptions combine for a melting pot of intimidation. A year ago, as one of his first acts in office, President Alejandro Giammattei slashed the budget of the so-called Presidential Secretariat for Women, which is meant to protect women's rights. Then you can access your favorite statistics via the star in the header. The video was widely shared on YouTube and Guatemalan social media networks, where it sparked outcry against such acts of vigilante justice. It identified more than 60 criminal structures, presented more than 110 casesin which over 680 people were involvedand presented 34 proposals for legal reforms to Congress. Crime in Guatemala Tools Rates of crime in Guatemala are very high. Yes, Guatemala is actually safe to live in. Access to this and all other statistics on 80,000 topics from, Show sources information Solo travel is an amazing way to see the world. Qatar. markets. October 13, 2022. Demonstrators take part in a protest demanding the resignation of President Alejandro Giammattei, in Guatemala City, Guatemala, November 21, 2020. [Online]. Arana, Ana, "The New Battle for Central America", criminals who are dressed in police uniforms, commercial sexual exploitation of children, Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, Crime, democracy, and development in Latin America, "A Brief History of Guatemala's 36-Year-Long Civil War That Ended in 1996", "Youth, gangs and violence: Analysing the social and spatial mobility of young people in Guatemala City", Corridor of Violence: The Guatemala-Honduras Border, "Guatemala 'closes its eyes' to rampant child sex trafficking: U.N.", "Sex trafficking in Guatemala involves primarily children, UNICEF report finds", "Human trafficking of girls in particular "on the rise," United Nations warns", "Central America Fertile Ground for Human Trafficking", "Gang Involvement in Human Trafficking in Central America", "Human Trafficking and the Children of Central America", "2019 Trafficking in Persons Report: Guatemala", "Amnesty says Guatemala must act on killing of women", "Working Together to Protect U.S. Extortion depends on threats of violence and the assumption that the state cannot protect its citizens from those threats. Is Guatemala Safe for Solo Female Travelers? Remember: travelling solo doesnt mean you have to be a hero and do EVERYTHING by yourself. [9] Femicide to an extent is a function of a historical gendered violence that the state and society permitted legally and socially throughout the 20th century. I DONT recommend hailing taxis off the street. ", InSight Crime, Homicide rate in Guatemala from 2014 to 2022 (in number of homicides per 100,000 inhabitants) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/984814/homicide-rate-guatemala/ (last visited May 02, 2023), Homicide rate in Guatemala from 2014 to 2022 (in number of homicides per 100,000 inhabitants) [Graph], InSight Crime, February 3, 2023. A paid subscription is required for full access. Close, Is Guatemala Safe for Travel? Share this via WhatsApp In January 2020, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights issued a report on Guatemala, referring to a challenging human rights context, with persisting high levels of inequality, discrimination, insecurity and impunity. The report cited significant setbacks in the advancement of human rights, the rule of law, and the fight against corruption and impunity. US Agency for International Development. to incorporate the statistic into your presentation at any time. Thats why weve listed and answered the most frequently asked questions on safety in Guatemala. Fourteen years after the end of its civil war, Guatemala has become a paradise for crime that is deeply entrenched in the state and society, undermines institutions and thrives on extreme levels of impunity. Directly accessible data for 170 industries from 50 countries and over 1 million facts: Get quick analyses with our professional research service. "Even as young girls, women are just objects that are sexually abused by their uncles, grandfathers or brothers. Under Guatemalan law, Congress selects and appoints judges and justices from lists presented by Nominating Commissions. In March 2019, Congress passed the second of three required approvals for a bill that would provide amnesty for genocide and other atrocities, in clear violation of international human rights law. Learn more about how Statista can support your business. Violent Crime Rates by Country 2023 Map Options Color Scheme: Homicide Rate (UNODC) 0.00 5.00 10.00 15.00 20.00 25.00 30.00 35.00 40.00 45.00 50.00 55.00 Hover over a tile for details. And that leads to a culture of impunity that is horrifying," said Trujillo. Is it safe to visit Guatemala right now after the recent volcanic activity? Following the end of Guatemalan Civil War in 1996, a general amnesty was granted [30] However, sexual crimes against children continue; the former UN Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, Najat Maalla Mjid, stated in 2012 that "Many children are still victims of sexual exploitation and forced labour in Guatemala despite the laudable efforts carried out to prevent and combat the sale of children for illegal adoption. Therefore, throughout the subsequent civil war, the state placed an emphasis on repressing, often disappearing, students of San Carlos. [5] In just the first month of 2005, Guatemala City alone received 13,700 reports of family violence. [12], The lack of effective law enforcement following the 2009 coup also contributed to the growth of narcotics smuggling. Many of these deaths came in brutal fashions like rapes, forced abortions, and burnings. In June 2020, several lawmakers attempted to remove the ombudsperson from office for using a rainbow flag on social media to commemorate Pride month, and for releasing videos calling on the government to fulfill its international obligation to prevent anti-LGBT violence and discrimination. In 2018, the homicide rate in Jamaica was 47 per 100,000 residents and that number increased more than 3 percent in 2019. was three times higher than the rest of Central and South America and the Caribbean, but 70 percent of all crime is linked to the drug trade. ", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Crime_in_Guatemala&oldid=1147494033, This page was last edited on 31 March 2023, at 09:47. Gangs are responsible for nearly half of the 3,500 violent deaths a year in Guatemala, authorities have said - one of the highest violent death rates in the world. Enjoy your travels! Share this via Facebook Yes! [11] After the 1954 Guatemalan coup d'tat, a majority of the 8,000 San Carlos students possessed leftist views in line with the outgoing government. This is widely available at every hostel and hotel, so bring a reliable refillable bottle. Theres trekking, exploring ancient Mayan history, kicking back on a beach on the Pacific or Caribbean Coast, and so much more. Its not always had the best reputation when it comes to safety, but Guatemala IS generally a safe place to visit. The violence that gangs such as Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and Barrio 18 have proven themselves capable of generates fear and hopelessness among the communities in Guatemala, El Salvador and . [1] As soon as this statistic is updated, you will immediately be notified via e-mail. [36] Other lynching victims have been accused of practicing witchcraft or committing robbery. It wont be down to the wire cutting edge info on the most current events, but it is layered in the expertise of veteran travellers. [37], In May 2015, a video was released online of the lynching of a sixteen-year-old girl in the village of Ro Bravo. Of course, youll have to pay attention to some new things if youre planning on making the move to Guatemala. Additionally, twenty-three percent of the Guatemalan children interviewed noted that they had survived domestic violence by their parents or guardians.[39]. Currently, you are using a shared account. In, US Agency for International Development. Chart. The Supreme Court ruled on August 12, 2020, that Ombudsperson Jordn Rodas had failed to comply with a 2017 decision ordering his office to cease activities that support or promote abortion, present abortion as a right, or promote its legalization. At least one woman has been fallingvictim to such a murder every day. But to be honest, youre probably going to have to be an adventurous family to make the trip. Rainy season, volcanoes, tsunamis, and flooding all affect safety in Guatemala. Avoid non-essential travel to the following areas due to very high levels of violent crime: Within Guatemala City: Zone 3. Homicide rate in Guatemala from 2014 to 2022 (in number of homicides per 100,000 inhabitants) [Graph]. In Mexico, stay-at-home measures to stop the spread of COVID-19 are being touted as a chance for men to help with housework and childcare. You only have access to basic statistics. A member of the crowd then douses the girl in gasoline and burns her alive. Amid more than 20,000 complaints of violence, few facilities are available for women to get help. President Giammatteis government has shown open hostility toward the press and has limited access to information regarding confirmed cases and measures to address Covid-19. There are about 10,000 cases of reported rape per year, but the total number is likely much higher because of under-reporting due to social stigma. You dont want to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, so stick to the busy streets or get yourself a local guide to explore the area further. Guatemala faces challenges in protecting the rights of asylum seekers, human rights defenders, women and girls, people with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. Fake taxi companies exist and using them puts you at high risk. Guatemala crime rate & statistics for 2020 was 17.47, a 30.01% decline from 2019. Abortion is currently legal only when the life of a pregnant person is in danger. Evidence shows that asylum seekers experience mistreatment, trauma, and stress at the US border. We strive to provide the most relevant travel information on the web and always appreciate input from our readers (nicely, please!). A paid subscription is required for full access. Planning a safe trip to Guatemala can get quite overwhelming. Statista. Luz Maria had found her dream job. The CICIG worked with the Attorney Generals Office, the police, and other government agencies to investigate, prosecute, and dismantle criminal organizations operating in Guatemala. [5] Guatemalan society has come to see violence as normal and as inevitably linked with youth, which may prolong the passivity towards violence by leaving young people with an approach that embodies an acceptance of short-term lives. Natural disasters are also something to be vigilant about. To make sure you keep your family safe while travelling in Guatemala, there are a few things to bear in mind. Unchanged Situation. [Online]. Like the rest of Latin America, Guatemala has problems that just require a fair bit of savviness. [35] Participants in acts of mob violence are seldom prosecuted. "We live here in a state that is incapable of protecting its women and where the political will to do so is lacking. [citation needed] The countries with the highest crime and violence rates in Central America are El Salvador and Honduras. In, InSight Crime. The Attorney Generals Office for Crimes against Journalists had, as of July, registered over 60 complaints of threats and attacks on journalists by private individuals, security forces, and public officials. A study by the National Violence Observatory of the National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH) placed the country as the most violent territory in Central America, with a homicide rate of 38.5 per 100,000 inhabitants. [23] According to the US Department of State, Guatemala's high murder rate is caused by four principal factors: an increase in drug trafficking; a growing prevalence of gang-related violence; a heavily armed civilian population; and a weak and incompetent police/judicial system. [39] Violent actors included drug cartels, gangs, and State sponsored actors.
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