By: Staff Writer
March 4, 2025
The annual homicide roundup by Insight Crime reveals a stark reality of how murders in The Caribbean are now part of a new normal.
The report, now in its tenth edition, said: “At least 121,695 people were murdered in Latin America and the Caribbean during 2024, putting the median homicide rate at around 20.2 per 100,000 people, about the same rate as 2023. The already violent Caribbean continued to roil in 2024, while Latin America saw a general decrease in the number of homicides.”
The Caribbean also features heavily in the list of countries with smaller increases in their homicide rates, from St. Lucia’s slight growth of 2.7 percent to Haiti’s big increase of 51.6 percent. Gang activity and firearms are among the main drivers of violence in these countries.
It also said: “Suriname saw its homicide rate increase more than any other country in 2024, followed by Barbados, and Turks and Caicos. These three countries saw their murder rates grow by more than 100%, putting the Caribbean in the top homicide hotspot for yet another year. However, the small populations in this part of the world compared to other countries in the region mean that the alarming figures may stem from isolated instances of violence rather than a rise in organized crime activity.
“Suriname had a homicide rate of 29.9 as of September 2024, with a total of 190 murders. This is the highest murder rate spike in the region, with a 382% rise from the same period in 2023 to 2024. However, the jump appears linked to an escalation in violent petty offenses, particularly robberies, rather than organized crime. Violent robberies grew by 143% and gun-related crimes by 123%, and are likely some of the factors behind the growing violence.”
The report continued: “Barbados registered a homicide rate of 17.7 in 2024, but despite the significant increase compared to 2023, its raw number of murder cases is still relatively low compared to other countries in the region. The country recorded 50 homicides in 2024, and 48% happened in the parish of St. Michael, the most populous on the island. With a population of less than 300,000, small changes in Barbados’ actual homicides causes significant variations in the national rate.
“The collapse of a peace agreement between rival gangs in Barbados is likely behind the murder spike. Many of the 2024 cases are believed to have been planned attacks, suggesting instabilities in the agreement that lasted over a year.”
With regard to the Turks and Caicos Islands, the report said: “Turks and Caicos Islands registered a homicide rate of 103.1 in 2024, the highest in Latin America and the Caribbean. The country recorded 48 murders up to December 19, registering an increase of over 100% in its homicide rate compared to 2023.
“The main drivers of violence in the country are sophisticated networks that smuggle firearms and narcotics onto the islands, but human smuggling also seems to play a significant role in the rise in crime.”