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The 8 bloodiest cities in Mexico

Countrywide, in 35.8% of urban households, at least one of its members was the victim of theft or extortion

Crime and violence have struck Mexico in the last years - Photo: Ariel Ojeda/EL UNIVERSAL
17/01/2019 |14:07
Rubén Migueles
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The fear of crime affects a large number of Mexicans , especially in 8 cities, where 90% of its inhabitants feel unsafe , according to the Inegi's National Urban Public Security Survey .

The cities ruled by fear are: Reynosa, Tamaulipas , where 96% of its inhabitants consider that living there in unsafe; Chilpancingo, Guerrero , with 93.8%; Puebla ; Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz ; Ecatepec, Mexico , with 98.4%; Villahermosa, Tabasco , with 92.3%; Tlalnepantla, Mexico , 90.4%, and Fresnillo, Zacatecas , with 90.1%.

Among the cities where the perception of insecurity increased the most in 2018 , Puebla stands out, since the percentage of the population who lives in fear of crime went from 72% in 2017 to 93.4% in December 2018; a 21.4% increase.

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Other cities where the feeling of insecurity increased in 2018 were Piedras Negras, Coahuila , with an annual increase of 20.8%, to reach a 61.9%; Guanajuato , 79.6%; Guadalajara , Jalisco , 86.8%, and Monterrey, Nuevo León , 84.4%.

Despite these red flags , the countrywide general p erception of insecurity has decreased. In December 2018, 73.7% of the population over 18 years old, considered that living in their cities is unsafe , the lowest level since March 2017.

The perception of insecurity is higher among women , 78%, while in men it's 68.6%.

In contrast, the cities with a low perception of insecurity in 2018 are San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León , 23.1%; Mérida, Yucatán , 28.8%; Saltillo, Coahuila , 30.5%; Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco , 38.7%; Durango , 39.5%; and Los Cabos, Baja California Sur , 42.3%.

The expectations in regards to security in Mexico have improved in the last months. The percentage of people that consider that safety will improve in the next 12 months went from 17% in December 2017, to 41.4% in December 2018, the highest level registered.

Countrywide

, in 35.8% of urban households , at least one of its members was the victim of theft or extortion .

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