Homicides and violent crime drop in Baja California, but safety concerns remain

"Tijuana has long had a reputation for violence. Mexican officials consider it one of Baja California's biggest challenges. So there was reason to point out progress recently when Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced during her latest visit to the border town of nearly 2 million people that the daily average of reported homicides and other serious crimes in Baja California had fallen to the lowest levels in nine years."

"According to the data, presented by Marcela Figueroa of Mexico's National Public Security System, the average daily number of reported homicides fell by 28%, from 6.5 incidents per day in 2024 to 4.7 last year. During the same period, the number of reported violent and serious crimes including armed robbery, firearm-related offenses and extortion decreased by 32%, from an average of 26 to 17.6 incidents per day."

"It is a significant decrease, given the difficulties Baja California faces as a border state and due to the presence of different criminal organizations, Sheinbaum said during her Jan. 30 news conference in Tijuana. She was joined by Mexican Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection Omar Garcia Harfuch and Baja California Gov. Marina del Pilar Avila, among others. Sheinbaum's visit to Tijuana followed ongoing pressure from the U.S. over drug cartels."

Tijuana, a border city of nearly 2 million, has long faced high levels of violence. Daily average reported homicides in Baja California fell from 6.5 to 4.7 per day, a 28% decrease. Reported violent and serious crimes, including armed robbery, firearm-related offenses and extortion, declined from 26 to 17.6 incidents per day, a 32% reduction. The security strategy focused on arresting priority targets and perpetrators who lead criminal organizations. Arrests included leaders and operators from various factions of the Sinaloa cartel, such as Los Mayos. The reductions occurred amid ongoing U.S. pressure over drug cartels and opposition to U.S. military deployment.

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