Quintana Roo homicide stats disputed: real drop just 25%

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — During a security cabinet conference held on Monday, Quintana Roo Attorney General Raciel López Salazar stated that intentional homicides in the state decreased by 47 percent during the first four months of the year. He reported 126 victims between January and April 2025, compared to 237 in the same period of 2024. However, verified data contradicts this claim.

Discrepancy in Reported Figures

According to official records, there were actually 171 intentional homicides in the first four months of 2025, representing a 25 percent reduction from the previous year—significantly lower than the 47 percent decline announced by the Attorney General’s Office.

López Salazar also highlighted substantial reductions in violence across eight municipalities, including a purported 100 percent decrease in Puerto Morelos and José María Morelos, a 75 percent drop in Felipe Carrillo Puerto, 69 percent in Tulum, 60 percent in Cozumel, 42 percent in Benito Juárez, 22 percent in Playa del Carmen, and 52 percent in Othón P. Blanco.

Actual Data Reveals More Modest Declines

An analysis of the real figures shows that reductions were less dramatic and occurred in only seven municipalities. The actual decreases were as follows:

• Benito Juárez: 27 percent
• Cozumel: 75 percent
• Felipe Carrillo Puerto: 66 percent
• José María Morelos: 33 percent
• Othón P. Blanco: 60 percent
• Playa del Carmen: 9 percent
• Tulum: 52 percent

Contrary to the Attorney General’s claims, Bacalar and Puerto Morelos saw no change in homicide rates, while Isla Mujeres experienced an increase—rising from one to five cases. Additionally, 19 homicides were not classified by municipality, further complicating the accuracy of the state’s official statistics and raising concerns about transparency in reporting.