Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
The top 5 murder capitals of the world
Congratulations to the remaining residents of Caracas, Venezuela! Foreign Policy has just honored your fair city as the murder capital of the world, with around 130 murders per 100,000 people.
Not only that, the actual murder rate may be much higher, because the numbers "omit prison-related murders as well as deaths that the state never gets around to properly 'categorizing.' The numbers also don't count those who died while 'resisting arrest,' suggesting that Caracas's cops-already known for their brutality against student protesters-might be cooking the books."
Also showing up on the list are Cape Town, New Orleans, Moscow, and, surprisingly, Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea, which was recently named "Worst City" in an Economist Intelligence Unit survey.
Although Cape Town is rapidly emerging as one of Africa's most appealing cities, the city's homicide rate is still off the charts, at 62 per 100,000 people. But here's something to comfort you before your next visit: "The city's homicides usually take place in suburban townships rather than in the more upscale urban areas where tourists visit."
The article adds: "According to the South African Police Service, most of the Cape Town area's violent crimes happen between people who know one another, including a horrific case last year in which four males doused a female friend in gasoline and lit her on fire."
Sweet dreams!
Filed under: South Africa, Venezuela, News
Reader Comments (Page 5 of 5)
BILL Oct 3rd 2008 9:16PM
JACK LOONEY, THAT GUN HAS KILLED NO ONE, GUNS DON'T KILL, PEOPLE KILL.
Fred Harris Oct 3rd 2008 10:58PM
Look at what populates these 5 cities. It shouldn't be a surprise. Nothing but animals.
Carlota Rodríguez Oct 4th 2008 9:19PM
Mr. Hotfelder: As one of the 3.2 million remaining Caracas citizens you have just dared to congratulate for being on top of the most dangerous cities list, I can only say that I'm stunned for your disrespectful comment on the reality we have to live with. I wonder what your intention was when you decided to write "Congratulations to the remaining residents of Caracas, Venezuela!"..., but since we're not expecting that all of the journalists are sensitive, we have the right to be respected.
Coolie Dec 25th 2010 5:30AM
I don't think Americans understand just how dangerous Caracas and Cape Town are. Detroit, Orlando, Chicago etc.? Don't make me laugh! None of your cities are in the same LEAGUE!!
And BTW:
Murders in Chicago from the last 6 months = over 200
Murders in Iraq from the last 6 months = over 4,000
Whoever came up with the clever idea that Chicago has more violence than Iraq recently is an idiot.
Gabriel Jan 4th 2009 12:55AM
As Carlota Rodríguez previously stated I, as a Caracas citizen, also feel disturbed by the term "remaining resident of Caracas"... Nevertheless, it's obvious that this pseudo-communist jerk called Hugo Chavez has agraviatted the situation up to the limits....
If you think Chicago, Orlando or Jacksonville are dangerous, let laugh my a... off.... In the last ten years in which my country has experienced this "wave of stupidity" called Chavismo 110.000 people have been killed, 1/3 of them in Caracas... Now please continue "whining" about your disgrace and discomfort with those terrible cities and towns you live in....
Greetings from a survivor...
Chris Apr 23rd 2009 7:49PM
D-troit is the murder capital of the world again. It has taken the title more times than any other city, do your homework.
ADam Jul 19th 2009 10:55AM
Can people shut up. They are talking about murder capitals of the world, not USA cities only. Detroit, Orlando, and whatever USA cities people named here are not the worst in the WORLD only the USA. And New Orleans in #2? Now I know this crap is flawed. I can name you more cities around the world that make New Orleans look like paradise.