According to the US Department of State, Guatemala’s high murder rate is caused by four principal factors: an increase in drug trafficking; a growing prevalence of gang-related violence; a heavily armed civilian population; and a weak and incompetent police/judicial system.
What is the biggest problem in Guatemala?
Guatemala faces formidable challenges: weak governance, endemic corruption, pervasive poverty, food insecurity, severe violence, citizen insecurity, shrinking space for civil society, lack of respect for human rights, inequitable access to economic opportunities and social services, and the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.
Is there high crime in Guatemala?
Guatemala has one of the highest violent crime rates in Latin America. Although the majority of serious crime involves local gangs, incidents are usually indiscriminate and can occur in tourist areas. Despite the high levels of crime, most visits to Guatemala are trouble-free.
What is the violent crime rate in Guatemala?
The murder rate in Guatemala has been decreasing consistently since 2014, when it stood above 30 victims per 100,000 inhabitants.
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Homicide rate in Guatemala from 2014 to 2020 (in number of homicides per 100,000 inhabitants)
| Characteristic | Homicides per 100,000 inhabitants |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 21.5 |
| 2018 | 22.4 |
| 2017 | 26.1 |
| 2016 | 27.3 |
What is Guatemala’s problem?
Public Security, Corruption, and Criminal Justice
Violence and extortion by powerful criminal organizations remain serious problems in Guatemala. Gang-related violence is an important factor prompting people, including unaccompanied children and young adults, to leave the country.
Why Guatemala is so poor?
Many depend on farming inherited land as their sole source of income, contributing to cyclical poverty in Guatemala. As 65 percent of the land is controlled by 2.5 percent of farms, land is passed down through families and most consider farming one of their only options.
How bad is life in Guatemala?
Guatemala suffers from a serious housing crisis. More than half of citizens have inadequate housing and land rights remain an issue, with around 1 percent of the population owning 60 percent of the land. Many families live in homes with dirt floors with parasites which cause different illnesses.
Is Guatemala a safe place to live?
Despite having a reputation for crime, Guatemala is generally safe to visit right now. … For example, most violent crime is gang-related i.e. only affects locals living in certain areas.
How safe is Guatemala 2020?
Guatemala is not the safest country to visit. It has extremely high crime rates, of both violent and petty crime. You should be vigilant and take all possible precaution measures in order to minimize the risk of something wrong happening.
Does Guatemala require a Covid test?
All passengers 10 years of age and over arriving in Guatemala by air and land are required to obtain one of the following: A negative COVID-19 PCR or an Antigen test within 72 hours prior to check-in at the airport, or arrival at the land border; or.
What is the crime rate in Antigua Guatemala?
Crime rates in Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala
| Level of crime | 56.67 | Moderate |
|---|---|---|
| Problem people using or dealing drugs | 41.07 | Moderate |
| Problem property crimes such as vandalism and theft | 61.67 | High |
| Problem violent crimes such as assault and armed robbery | 55.00 | Moderate |
| Problem corruption and bribery | 78.57 | High |