Mexico’s murder rate hits record 33,000 in 2018

Mexico recorded more than 33,000 murders in 2018, the highest number since the government began keeping records more than 20 years ago.

Figures released by the Interior Ministry show 50,341 homicides in 2018, including 33,341 murders and 17,000 culpable or negligent homicides.

The number of murders is up 14.3 percent when compared to the previous year, and the highest since the government began keeping comparable records in 1997.

About 71 percent of murders in 2018 were carried out with a firearm, according to Monday’s report. The deadliest month was July, when more than 3,000 people were murdered.