Medellin, the capital of Antioquia, saw a reduction in the number of murders in 2022 compared to the previous year. The local government, under the leadership of Daniel Quintero, noted a decrease in violent deaths and the city is on track to have one of the most peaceful Decembers in recent years. As of December 30th, figures from the System of Information for Security and Coexistence (SISC) show that there have been 30 violent deaths this month, a much lower number than the 44 reported in 2021 and 43 in 2019, and slightly more than the 26 that occurred in 2020, during the year of the pandemic and lockdowns.
Throughout 2022, the trend of decreasing violent deaths continued in Medellin. This year, there have been 388 reported murders, 15 fewer than the previous year, and 25 more than 2020. When compared to 2019, where 593 homicides were reported, the decrease is notable, with 205 fewer cases. November and June were the most violent months of the year with 36 cases each, while the Candelaria (the Center) was the most violent zone in Medellin with 75 homicides, followed by Robledo and Aranjuez with 34 and 34 murders respectively.
The different types of murders and victims
Regarding the victims, the SISC report says that 361 correspond to men and 27 are women. The report also reveals that of the total violent deaths, 119 are associated with confrontations between criminal gangs, 68 are related to coexistence issues, 55 have been due to theft, 9 due to gender violence, and 4 due to intra-family violence. The rest are in the process of being categorized.
The interim mayor of Medellin, Juan David Duque, highlighted that the year ends with a 4% reduction in homicides compared to the previous year and a record 53% clearance rate for this crime. “So far this year we have achieved a 53% clearance rate for homicides, in terms of the clearance rate for sexual crimes, we have gone from 7 to 77%, which is a historical figure in the city. We have a 73% clearance rate for homicides of the LGTBIQ+ population and of the 7 feminicides that occurred, we were able to clarify 100% of them,” explained Juan David Duque.
The history of drug violence of Medeellin
Medellin, the capital city of Antioquia, has been known for its history of violence and drug trafficking. Over the past few decades, the city has faced many challenges to reduce the number of murders and improve the safety and security of its residents.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the city was considered one of the most dangerous places in the world, with an average of 5,000 murders per year. During this time, Medellin was ruled by powerful drug cartels that controlled much of the city’s criminal activities. The violence reached its peak in 1991, with a total of 6,349 murders recorded.
Despite the efforts of the government and law enforcement agencies, the city continued to suffer from high levels of violence in the following years, with an average of 4,000 murders per year in the early 2000s. In 2003, the city saw a slight decrease in the number of murders, with a total of 3,824 reported.
The start of the decline
However, the situation began to change in the following years, as the city implemented new security strategies and programs to tackle the root causes of violence. In 2004, the city launched the Metropolitan Police, a specialized force dedicated to improving security in the city. The efforts of the police, along with the creation of community-based programs and social initiatives, helped reduce the number of murders in the city.
Between 2006 and 2012, the city saw a significant decrease in the number of murders, with an average of 2,000 to 2,500 reported per year. In 2012, the city recorded its lowest number of murders since the 1980s, with a total of 1,853 reported.
Still some way to go
In recent years, the city has continued to make progress in reducing the number of murders and improving the safety of its residents. In 2022, the city recorded 388 murders, a decrease of 15 cases compared to the previous year. This is also a significant decrease compared to the 593 murders reported in 2019, a difference of 205 cases.
In conclusion, Medellin has come a long way in reducing the number of murders and improving the safety and security of its residents. The city has implemented various strategies and programs to tackle the root causes of violence and has seen a significant decrease in the number of murders over the past two decades. Despite this progress, the city continues to face challenges in reducing violence and ensuring the safety of its residents.
