Crime in Latin America
Crime in Latin America TL; DR
Crime in Latin America varies by country but more specifically regions within a country. Crime in Latin America is a real, ongoing issue. While many areas are safe and offer a high quality of life, others face serious problems with crime. Misinformation, especially from “expat influencers” can seriously misguide potential movers. Firsthand experience, like from my daughter in Ecuador or myself in Mexico along with credible data may provide value to people considering expatriating. Over generalizations like “Oh it’s just petty crime” when in reality that country is the second most dangerous in the world (Ecuador 2023) is nonsense. Presenting authentic and transparent information is “the right thing to do” when selling expat services to an audience that simply isn’t in the know.
Crime in Latin America is Real
Crime in Latin America is no joke. The crime rates in Latin America surpass those of other regions around the world. On the violent metric there is murder per-100,000 people, very easy to understand. Crimes like extortion and robbery are harder to put true numbers to since so many go unreported. That’s just the reality. Still, I love living here but you gotta keep it real. There are numerous YouTubers, for example, that “promote” Ecuador. There is nothing inherently wrong with that, however, I take issue with it when the information they were dishing out to people in 2023, (now 2025) states things such as “…it’s mostly petty crime”. I’m quoting word for word what one particular YouTube channel had to say about living in Ecuador in the second half of 2023. Nothing could’ve been further from the truth. It was the worst year EVER in Ecuador’s history making it the country with the second highest homicide rate in 2023 worldwide, after Jamaica. That couple has since left Ecuador.
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YouTubers and Expat Promoters Need to be Transparent about Crime in Latin America
Expat YouTubers and expat relocation companies have a duty to be real with their audience about crime in Latin America. If there is violence in Ecuador, admit it. That’s all. I absolutely loved my time living in Ecuador and my daughter and her mom still live there.
Samborondón, Guayaquil, “The Bubble”
My daughter tells me how they only stay in the Samborondón urban area of Guayaquil. That’s their home. It’s like a safe little sanctuary for upper class people. It’s a huge bubble that they hardly ever leave. So no, Ecuador is not the ideal place to expatriate in 2025, and probably not 2026.
Be Cognizant of What You’re Reading and Viewing Regarding Expat Life
I lived in Mérida, Yucatán for 5 years. I now live in Querétaro. I often hear people refer to a report done by one website called CEO World Biz (although their business name is “CEO Magazine”). The article states “…Abu Dhabi has been ranked the safest city in the world, according to the statistical analysis (2019)” but doesn’t explain how they got their “the statistical analysis”. It goes on to state that Mérida, Yucatán is 21st city worldwide, and the second safest in the Americas after Quebec, Canada. Apparently, the company specializes in “CEO things”, however they have a “Write for Us” menu item and get contributors from somewhere. I’m not claiming their report is flawed or bad mouthing their company at all, but they don’t mention where the data came from. That, in and of itself, is a flaw. Personally, I don’t believe Mérida is 2nd safest city in the Americas. While violence is rare in Mérida, theft is very common.
Crime in Latin America, Theft is a Problem
Latin America, in general is not “safe”. It just isn’t. I’m just being honest. I happen to live in Querétaro, Mexico which I feel is safe, however I’m always aware of my surroundings. I’m not referring only to violent crime. In that respect I’d still say Mérida and Querétaro are quite safe but don’t get it twisted and think Mexico is Japan. It’s not. Your belongings will get stolen if you’re not careful. Colombia has major issues with Colombian girls drugging foreigners with scopolamine and robbing them for all they got in apartments and hotel rooms. American men have died. These clueless passport bros actually think Colombian Tinder hotties want something to do with them. It’s sad. Ecuador and Venezuela are a no-go zone, and Brazil and Mexico are both consistently near the top of the list for homicides per capita. Colima, Mexico has the highest murder rate in the world and just below that are other Mexican cities like Manzanillo, Juarez, Tijuana etc. San Pedro Sula, Honduras? Uh, no thanks.
Crime in Latin America is Everywhere
The takeaway is this. It’s not just about hardcore violence. I mean, in terms of serious violence Mérida is safe. I never felt in danger. In terms of theft, however, it’s like any other place in Latin America. Your stuff will get stolen. Theft is so much more common in Latin America than anywhere else in the world. Perhaps Mérida has less theft than Medellín or Bogotá. In Colombia, two thieves on motorbikes (the passenger oddly called “parillero” like grill master) are common. They snatch bags and cell phones, while the infamous hardcore sicarios take people out. A few cities in Colombia have outlawed riding “emparejado” or two on a motorcycle for this very reason. Bottom line is, you have to lock up your belongings, even in Mérida.
Crime in Latin America Tends to Go Unreported
Crime in Latin America is typically not reported as people know that the police won’t really do anything about it. I bet more violent crimes go unreported in Latin America than in the United States. What happened to me on Thanksgiving Day in 2023 is a prime example of people not reporting a crime. I did file the police report just to go through the experience but naturally nothing was done, no investigation of the area or anything, and they even have cameras there because of a school nearby. Someone could’ve done something, but they just don’t. I’m not complaining, I’m just making a factual statement. It certainly doesn’t mean the US is a better place to live. At least not for me. Your cell phone was stolen? Oh well. Someone broke into your car? Oh well. They stole your bike in a gated community? You get the point. Crime in Latin America goes unreported.
“Gota a Gota”, “Cobro (Derecho) de Piso”
Crime in Latin America that Most Expats Have Never Heard Of
Extortion schemes like gota a gota in Colombia and cobro (derecho) de piso in Mexico (Spanish) are common forms of crime against locals. This doesn’t involve foreigners or tourists but still, I mean it’s not good right? “Cobre (derecho) de piso” involves small business owners being forced to pay for “protection,” with threats of violence if they refuse. In the case of gota a gota, this includes predatory microloans with exorbitant interest rates upwards of 20% and violent collection tactics. This reflects the entrenched power of local gangs and cartels in areas where law enforcement is weak or corrupt. Anyone promoting “re-location” tours or consulting for ignorant, wanna be expats must be forthright.
Sources
- Primicias – Ecuador cerró 2023 con la tasa de homicidios más alta de su historia (Published January 1, 2024)
https://www.primicias.ec/noticias/sociedad/ecuador-tasa-homicidios-2023-latacunga/ - InSight Crime – Gota a Gota: Inside Colombia’s Brutal Loan Shark Industry (Published November 7, 2022)
https://insightcrime.org/investigations/gota-gota-loan-sharks-colombia/ - El País – Extorsión: el impuesto ilegal que el crimen cobra a los negocios en México (Published February 24, 2023)
https://elpais.com/mexico/2023-02-24/extorsion-el-impuesto-ilegal-que-el-crimen-cobra-a-los-negocios-en-mexico.html