Introduction to the Study and Mexico’s Position
The presentation of the study “Ranking of the 50 Most Violent Cities in the World (2025)” revealed that 17 out of the 50 cities listed are Mexican, keeping Mexico at the top for the highest number of violent cities globally. Despite only two Mexican cities appearing in the top 10 this year, a situation not seen since 2013.
Potential Manipulation of Homicide Data
During the presentation, experts raised concerns about possible manipulation or underreporting of homicide figures in Mexico, especially in 2024 and 2025. This was done to support an official narrative of decreasing violence.
If these inconsistencies are confirmed, the actual homicide rates in Mexican cities would be significantly higher than those reflected in the ranking. Moreover, the issue of unaccounted-for missing persons, many of whom could be homicide victims not included in official figures, further exacerbates the situation.
Case Study: The State of Mexico
One example of alleged data falsification is the State of Mexico. In 2024, the state’s attorney general reported 2,334 domestic homicide victims to the National Public Safety System (SNSP), a 41.26% decrease from the 3,297 reported by the National Institute of Statistics, Geography, and Informatics (INEGI).
Cities Included in the Ranking
- Culiacán (6th)
- Ciudad Obregón (9th)
- Manzanillo (11th)
- Zamora (12th)
- Colima (13th)
- Acapulco (14th)
- Irapuato (16th)
- Ciudad Juárez (17th)
- Tijuana (18th)
- Celaya (20th)
- Cuernavaca (23rd)
- Uruapan (27th)
- Chilpancingo (37th)
Benito Juárez, Cancún, Morelia, Tapachula, and Zacatecas were excluded from the ranking.
Expert Analysis and Recommendations
José Antonio Ortega, president of the Citizen Council for Public Security and Justice, stated to El Economista that impunity is the primary cause of persistent violence in Mexico. He emphasized that without effective investigation, judicialization, and punishment of intentional homicide, the incentive to continue violent acts will remain.
Ortega also highlighted that extraordinary operations or military deployments, such as those in Michoacán, Sonora, and Sinaloa, are insufficient. Instead, a comprehensive strategy based on criminal investigation with intelligence is necessary.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main concern regarding Mexico’s violent cities? The primary worry is the high economic cost of violence, discouraging both tourism and foreign/domestic investment.
- Why are experts questioning the homicide data in Mexico? There are suspicions of potential manipulation or underreporting of homicide figures, particularly in 2024 and 2025, to maintain an official narrative of decreasing violence.
- What are the implications if data inconsistencies are confirmed? If true, actual homicide rates in Mexican cities would be significantly higher than reported, and the number of unaccounted-for missing persons could increase the total homicide count.
- Which cities are included in the ranking, and which are excluded? Cities like Culiacán, Ciudad Obregón, Manzanillo, Zamora, Colima, Acapulco, Irapuato, Ciudad Juárez, Tijuana, Celaya, Cuernavaca, Uruapan, and Chilpancingo are included. Benito Juárez, Cancún, Morelia, Tapachula, and Zacatecas are excluded.
- What recommendations have been made to address the violence in Mexico? Experts, like José Antonio Ortega, emphasize the need for a comprehensive strategy based on criminal investigation with intelligence rather than relying solely on extraordinary operations or military deployments.
