Mexico: Number of nationwide crime victims increases in 2017

Event

An estimated 25.4 million people were victims of crime in Mexico in 2017, representing an increase of 1.2 million victims over 2016 estimates. According to the National Survey of Victimization and Perception of Public Security (ENVIPE) 2018, the most common crimes committed in Mexico in 2017 included theft or assault on the street or on public transportation, extortion, fraud, vehicle theft, burglary, and verbal threats. The states of Aguascalientes, Baja California, Baja California Sur, Campeche, Coahuila, and Colima featured the greatest number of crime victims per capita.

Context

Fierce turf wars between competing and increasingly fragmented drug cartels are on the rise in much of the country and violence in parts of Mexico is spiraling out of control as cartels adopt increasingly militarized tactics. Business owners, journalists, politicians and candidates, and social leaders are also targeted, and bystanders can be caught up in the crossfire. 2017 was the most violent year on record based on violent crime indicators.

Advice

Individuals present in Mexico are advised to remain vigilant for criminal activity and report all suspicious objects and behavior to the authorities. Keep in mind that criminals may be armed; do not resist if confronted and do not look your attacker(s) directly in the eye.