Under-reported story of the year in Guatemala?

Both the National Civilian Police (PNC) and the National Institute of Forensic Sciences (INACIF) have released year end numbers on homicides and violent deaths in Guatemala. The numbers are not surprising if you follow this blog. On the other hand, they are even better than I thought that they would be.

According to the PNC, there were 5,618 homicides in 2011, nearly 6% less (342) less than 2010. The numbers work out to be 15.51 per day and 35.74 per 100,000!

INACIF, on the other hand, provided statistics on violent deaths (murders, suicides, and other killings) through December 28th. According to INACIF, there were 6,187 violent deaths in 2011, a 7.4% decline from 2010 when they counted 6,673. 2011's numbers are nearly 1,000 fewer than the 7,036 reported in 2009, the most violent year in recent memory.

According to Siglo XXI, even though murders declined, 2011's murders were committed with greater fury and cruelty. It's not clear if INACIF said that or just Siglo XXI. It's possible, but they provide no evidence. And I am not sure how much of their impression is driven by 27 decapitations in the May Peten massacre.

I'm sure that I'll have more later, but it's now official. Murders have declined quite dramatically in Guatemala over the last two years. They are off nearly 14% from their 2009 highs.