By Natalia Rueda 
For the seventh consecutive year, seven Mexican cities dominate the list of the world’s most violent cities, according to a recent report by the Citizen’s Council for Public Security and Criminal Justice (CCSPJP) on February 21. Colima, a small state on Mexico’s west coast, again took the top spot, with a rate of 140.32 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants. It was closely followed by Ciudad Obregon, Sonora (2).
This report is a grim reflection of the current reality of violence in Mexico. Of the top ten cities on the list, seven are in Mexico, with cities such as Zamora (4), Manzanillo (5), Tijuana (6), Zacatecas (7) and Juarez (10) also appearing on the list. One of the main causes of this violence is the presence of organized crime groups, such as the powerful CJNG, which fight for control of territories and provoke shootouts and other violent acts. The location of these cities, on the border with the United States, makes them strategic points for transporting drugs, which further aggravates the situation.
While the situation in Mexico is certainly alarming, it is not the only country struggling with high levels of violence. Cities in countries such as Haiti, Brazil and the United States also appear on the list, highlighting the global nature of this issue.
Of the 50 most violent cities in the world, 16 are in Mexico. This is a clear indication of the magnitude of violence in this country. For years, Mexican citizens and human rights organizations have expressed concern about this situation and have urged the government to take stronger measures to combat violence and restore peace to these affected communities. It is time to take concrete action and seek a solution to this problem, which has affected thousands of people and has generated a climate of insecurity in many Mexican cities.
With information from Infobae