Introduction
Typically, this column focuses on economic matters. However, it now addresses President Trump’s claim that Washington D.C. (WDC) is more dangerous than Mexico City (CDMX) and other cities due to its homicide rate, prompting federal intervention in WDC’s security. The Mexican government naturally concurred with the comparison, denying CDMX’s status as one of Latin America’s most dangerous capitals.
Homicide Rates Comparison
The homicide rate in Mexico City, approximately seven per 100,000 residents, is lower than WDC’s (around 27) and other U.S. cities like Chicago (approximately 20). However, the comparison becomes less favorable for CDMX when considering other crucial factors.
Beyond Homicides: A Broader Picture of Insecurity
Mexico City loses in these comparisons due to illegality, which includes homicides, extortion, right-of-passage payments, disappearances, arbitrary but tolerated public space occupation, tolerated public transportation and transit violations, daily thefts, impunity, and more. This reflects a greater risk beyond registered homicides.
Violence Beyond Homicides: Mexico City’s Indicators
Mexico Evalúa, an organization, creates a “homicidal violence” index that adds homicides to feminicides, untraced disappearances, and other life-related crimes. With this index, CDMX fares much worse than with homicide rates alone. Its violence has increased by 25.5% from the first half of 2024 to 2025.
Disappearances: A Greater Concern
The Secretariat of Government’s record shows 1,442 disappearances for 2024 and 1,480 for 2025 as of August 8. There are reasons to suspect many untraced disappearances are homicides, far exceeding registered cases (around 1,000 in 2024 and 500 by July 2025).
Contrasting Urban Experiences
Although not an expert, the author has lived for years in two U.S. cities with high homicide rates: Chicago and WDC. The conditions and events in these cities, vastly different, contrast those of Mexico City.
Disappearances vs. Homicides: A Distinct Comparison
The CDMX homicide rate does not include disappearances, as is natural. However, untraced disappearances are significantly higher in CDMX than in Chicago and WDC, where disappearances occur frequently but open cases (similar to untraced) are few: WDC had one in 2024 and 30 by 2025.
Segregation and Violence in U.S. Cities
Like many large, violent U.S. cities, WDC and Chicago suffer from racial segregation issues, resulting in ghettos where much of the violence occurs. Other extensive parts of these cities remain safe.
CDMX’s Complexity: Not a Uniform Experience
While one might argue CDMX faces similar issues, it’s not accurate. Safe areas for some aren’t safe for everyone. For instance, extortion of public businesses is widespread, especially in lucrative zones; commuters are assaulted, and authorities are often corrupt. Where parking meters aren’t present, “franeleros” occupy streets illegally, and many informal businesses compete unlawfully but tolerated with formal ones.
