Latin America and Caribbean See Overall Homicide Decline in 2025 Despite Local Spikes

Homicide rates across Latin America and the Caribbean experienced an overall decrease in 2025, reaching a median of approximately 17.6 murders per 100,000 people. This represents a more than 5% reduction compared to the previous year, 2024. The total number of people murdered in the region during 2025 was at least 108,838.

This decline occurred despite widespread states of emergency, an increased militarization of responses to organized crime, and the expansion of criminal economies throughout the region. However, the overall trend masks significant increases in specific nations. Countries like Ecuador and Haiti notably saw their homicide rates climb to unprecedented levels, driven by distinct criminal dynamics within their borders.

InSight Crime's analysis attributes the violence in each country to specific organized crime dynamics. The organization provides detailed insights into these factors, with all reported homicide rates standardized as victims per 100,000 people unless otherwise specified.