In 2023, there were *** homicides in the Colombian city of Medellín. This was the second lowest figure recorded in this urban hub since 1980. Medellín suffered a wave of violence in the late 1980s and 1990s, with a peak of nearly ***** homicides in 1991.

Colombia crime rate per 100K population for 2021 was 27.48, a 13.37% increase from 2020.

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<li>Colombia crime rate per 100K population for 2020 was <strong>24.24</strong>, a <strong>5.87% decline</strong> from 2019.</li>
<li>Colombia crime rate per 100K population for 2019 was <strong>25.75</strong>, a <strong>1.82% decline</strong> from 2018.</li>
<li>Colombia crime rate per 100K population for 2018 was <strong>26.23</strong>, a <strong>3.13% increase</strong> from 2017.</li>
</ul>Intentional homicides are estimates of unlawful homicides purposely inflicted as a result of domestic disputes, interpersonal violence, violent conflicts over land resources, intergang violence over turf or control, and predatory violence and killing by armed groups. Intentional homicide does not include all intentional killing; the difference is usually in the organization of the killing. Individuals or small groups usually commit homicide, whereas killing in armed conflict is usually committed by fairly cohesive groups of up to several hundred members and is thus usually excluded.

In 2024, there were approximately 25.4 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants in the country, down from a homicide rate of 25.7 a year earlier. The homicide rate in Colombia has been stable since 2014 with the numbers varying between 24 and 26.8 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants. Crime and corruption Approximately 31 percent of the population identifies corruption as the main problem of the country, with fraud emerging as the foremost committed corruption and economic felony in Colombia. Followed by instances where residents were either firsthand or indirectly encountered attempts to purchase electoral votes. These experiences stem from discontent with flawed democratic functioning, culminating with the country positioned among the Latin American nations most plagued by corruption. Moreover, Colombia's corruption index was 39, where 0 represents the worst corruption scenario. Notably, those entrusted with safeguarding public welfare—the police, congressional representatives, and presidential personnel—are implicated in these transgressions, thereby fostering a prevailing sense of insecurity among the population. Not an easy way out of drug trafficking Amidst the economic challenges stemming from an uneven distribution of wealth that predominantly favors merely one percent of the population, the youth demographic and individuals residing in rural areas are more inclined towards seeking a convenient route to monetary gains. This trend has the adverse consequence of resulting in land expropriation and engenders a state of insecurity for landowners, particularly concerning crop cultivation. The proliferation of narcotics has escalated significantly, prompting alarm within the government. These authorities have grappled with a persistent inability to curb the proliferation of this phenomenon. Notably, the cultivation and exportation of marijuana and cocaine stand out as the primary illegal undertaking, facilitated through international transport via land, aircraft, and maritime shipments.

Antioquia and Valle del Cauca were the departments where most homicides were recorded in Colombia throughout 2024, with 1,649 and 2,265 murders respectively. By contrast, only 2 homicide was registered in Guainía. In total, 13,341 homicides were recorded in Colombia. Homicides During 2024, Colombia ranked as the sixth South American country with the highest homicide rate. Even though Colombia ranks quite high, the homicide rate has remained stable for the last decade, between 24 and 26.8 cases per each 100,000 inhabitants. The situation with crime, poverty, and drug trafficking stays as barriers to the betterment of peace for the citizens.
How much does crime cost?
Crime always takes a toll on the economic development of a country, adding to the insecurity and instability of the country. As a consequence, governments spend a lot to try to stop the further development of crime. For example, Colombia’s public spending on order and security increased 220 percent from 2010 to 2023. And the economic cost of violence is estimated at over 274 billion U.S. dollars per year.

In 2023, there were ** crimes against minors associated with pornography and commercial sexual exploitation in the Colombian city of Medellin. In comparison to the previous two years, this figure represents a decline.

Firearms were the most common method used to commit murder in Colombia in 2024, causing more than ***** homicides. Sharp objects were used in nearly ***** murders in the South American country. Furthermore, Valle del Cauca and Antioquia were the departments where most homicides were recorded in Colombia throughout 2023.

From January to December of 2024, Antioquia was the Colombian department with the highest number of femicides, with a total of 130 women having been murdered on account of their gender. Bogotá came in second, with 84 femicides reported. These two regions made up for approximately one fourth of all femicides registered in Colombia that year.

In 2021, the average price of fresh cocaine leaves in the Amazonia region was ***** Colombian pesos per kilogram, the highest among the different regions in Colombia. For cocaine hydrochloride, the region with the highest price was Orinoquia, while the Sierra Nevada had the lowest with **** million pesos per kilogram. That year, the land area used for the illicit cultivation of coca in Colombia reached *** thousand hectares.

Violence among soccer fans is not uncommon in Colombia. Between 2008 and 2020, for example, a total of 149 soccer fans died as a result of hostilities outside of the soccer field. Up to 37 murder victims and 31 perpetrators were fans of the Colombian soccer club América de Cali. Atlético Nacional from Medellín followed second in the infamous ranking, with 32 of its fans assassinated and 24 fans charged or found guilty of homicide in that period. This soccer club had also the largest number of fans in Colombia in 2019.