This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/10/americas-overtake-africa-most-murders

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Americas overtake Africa as region with most murders Americas overtake Africa as region with most murders
(35 minutes later)
The Americas have overtaken Africa as the region with the most murders, thanks to a surge in organised crime, according to a UN report (pdf).The Americas have overtaken Africa as the region with the most murders, thanks to a surge in organised crime, according to a UN report (pdf).
Honduras retains the world's highest murder rate, with 90.4 homicides per 100,000 people in 2012, almost double that of Venezuela, whose rate was 53.7.Honduras retains the world's highest murder rate, with 90.4 homicides per 100,000 people in 2012, almost double that of Venezuela, whose rate was 53.7.
According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime's report, Central America fared particularly badly. Belize had a murder rate of 44.7, while El Salvador's was 41.2 per 100,000.According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime's report, Central America fared particularly badly. Belize had a murder rate of 44.7, while El Salvador's was 41.2 per 100,000.
In a previous report in 2011, Honduras topped the list, with El Salvador in second place and Venezuela in third.In a previous report in 2011, Honduras topped the list, with El Salvador in second place and Venezuela in third.
Nearly 40% of the 437,000 murders committed globally in 2012 took place in the Americas, with the majority in Central and South America, the report found.Nearly 40% of the 437,000 murders committed globally in 2012 took place in the Americas, with the majority in Central and South America, the report found.
"Overall, organised crime [or] gang-related homicide accounts for 30% of homicides in the Americas," the report said."Overall, organised crime [or] gang-related homicide accounts for 30% of homicides in the Americas," the report said.
Central American countries that have a long history of gang violence, such as Honduras, have seen the problem worsened in recent years after Mexican drug cartels moved in, taking advantage of shaky public institutions to set up key logistical operations for moving drugs from South America to the United States. Central American countries that have a long history of gang violence, such as Honduras, have seen the problem worsen in recent years after Mexican drug cartels moved in, taking advantage of shaky public institutions to set up key logistical operations for moving drugs from South America to the United States.
Other countries with high murder rates include Guatemala, with 39.9 murders per 100,000; South Africa with 31; Colombia with 30.8; and Brazil with 25.2.Other countries with high murder rates include Guatemala, with 39.9 murders per 100,000; South Africa with 31; Colombia with 30.8; and Brazil with 25.2.
In Mexico, where about 85,000 people have died in drug-related killings since a 2007 military-led assault against the warring cartels, the murder rate was 21.5 per 100,000.In Mexico, where about 85,000 people have died in drug-related killings since a 2007 military-led assault against the warring cartels, the murder rate was 21.5 per 100,000.