Crime and Violence in Mexico: Causes and Consequences

Introduction

A recent study by the World Bank reveals that Mexico has become one of the most violent and crime-ridden regions in the world (Hart). After a slight decrease in the 1960s, the report shows that the murder rate increased again in the 1990s to more than 16,000 murders per year (pp. 111–113). The country's homicide rate was double that of the United States, with 18 killings for every 100,000 people.

Over the past few decades, Mexico's population has increased and urban poverty levels have risen. As a result of these two factors, Mexico has seen a significant increase in crime and violence. Residents have resorted to illegal means of making money — including drug rings and street crime — as the country struggled to incorporate a capitalist system.

A recent study from the Citizen's Institute for the Study of Insecurity reveals that 4.2 million Mexicans were victims of crime in 2001 (Ortega). Ninety-two percent of the crimes were robberies, and the damages totaled $4.9 billion. Of these crimes, 75% of the victims did not report them to the authorities, and only 11% of the criminals were convicted.

Most of the people who did not report the crimes said that they felt officials were involved in crime or that the justice system was too corrupt and inefficient to act.

Mexico's Transition to Democracy and Rising Crime

Since 1994, when Mexico signed the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the country experienced a devastating economic downturn, drug-related violence, robberies, and carjacking have increased at record levels, as have signs of government corruption and police involvement (Krauze, p. 32).

After Mexico underwent a transition from authoritarianism to democracy, crime and violence rapidly increased, becoming one of the country's major problems (Neto). This shift has had a severe effect on Mexico economically, socially, and politically.

Despite the harm done to the Mexican people, the rise in crime and violence has imposed great social costs and has made the processes of economic and social development, democratic consolidation, and regional integration increasingly difficult.

A Crime-Ridden Country

Of all the cities in Mexico, Mexico City proved to be the most crime-ridden, with 18 crimes per 100 inhabitants (Ortega). The states of Morelos, Baja, and Baja California Norte were next, with 5.5 crimes per 100 inhabitants.

Not surprisingly, nearly half of all Mexicans reported that they did not feel safe in their own neighborhoods (Ortega). Of the respondents, approximately fourteen percent claimed that at least one member of their family had been the victim of a crime in the past year. In Mexico City, nearly 39% said the same.

One of the biggest problems faced by Mexico regarding crime and violence is the general breakdown of law. Assaults, bank robberies, kidnappings, and bribery — combined with corrupt police organizations — have made Mexico one of the most dangerous places to live and visit in the world.

Impact of Crime and Violence on Mexico

The increase in crime and violence has had a devastating impact on the country's economic and social development, democratic consolidation, and regional integration. The costs of violence in Mexico — including health losses, material losses, intangibles, and transfers — reached 12.3% of GDP in 1997 (Neto).

The high rates of crime and violence have proven to be a major obstacle for economic and social development. These high rates have increased the need for crime control and prevention, as well as the resources necessary to assist victims of crime.

As a result of these expenditures, resources available for investments in infrastructure and in economic and social programs are significantly reduced (Neto). In addition, Mexico's reputation for crime and violence has kept both foreign and domestic investors from investing in the country.

As a result of the increase in crime and violence — especially the growth of organized crime and government corruption — the Mexican people have lost faith in the authorities, including the police, the justice system, and the government itself.

When Mexico ended its 70-year rule by the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) in the 1990s, it took a step toward becoming a liberal democracy (Leiken). A decade before Mexican officials signed NAFTA in 1993, Mexico had rid itself of its state-led economy, privatizing most state companies and lowering barriers to foreign trade and investment. As a result, Mexico became one of the world's leading economies, exporting automobiles, electronics, textiles, and petrochemicals.

However, the increasing spread of corruption, crime, scandal, and drug trafficking has deterred the country's progress. Mexicans have waited patiently for authorities to solve crime and bring justice to those who have committed heinous acts such as assassinations, murders, and abductions — yet they have waited in vain, as government officials have often been involved in the crimes or have done little about them.

In most Mexican cities, homicides, armed robberies, rapes, muggings, and carjackings have reached record levels. In 2001, Mexico City alone was the scene of one million muggings and nearly 100,000 auto thefts (Leiken).

To make matters worse, violence and crime in Mexico are widespread, unlike in the United States, where crime tends to be concentrated in particular neighborhoods. Historically, there has been a strong link between crime and police corruption in Mexico (Thorp, p. 132). Many police officers have had to bribe their way into the police force. Police salaries are low, and it is common for officers to supplement their income through corruption and bribes.