38% drop in homicides masked by social media

Homicides in Panama have dropped by  38%  under the mandate of President  Juan Carlos Varela compared to the Ricardo  Martinelli era.

From July 1, 2014, to  June 30 this year1,1,838 homicides have been reported. In the same time spell July 1, 2009, to June 30, 2013, under the administration of former President Ricardo Martinelli,  there were 2,979, showing a reduction of 1,143 according to the Integrated System of Criminal Statistics (Siec).

Over the years, the crime rates have shown a considerable reduction, but the impact of social networks lead to the perception of an increase as reports are passed on, and sometimes amplified.

Sofanor Espinoza, a former top prosecutor  told El Siglo  “Social networks can be an aspect for the population to believe that there are more homicides since a story repeated a thousand times aggravates the effect that previously was not given, by  regular news  outlets

Most  murders have been reported have been on Saturdays with  around 71% been perpetrated with a firearm, 14% with a knife and by other  means

According to a Siec report up to May, 38% of the victims were homicides among delinquents, 13% were victims of crime, 20% were for personal reasons, 6% were sentimental relationships and 20% were other causes Unintentional killings are 4%.

Panama  Province where has the most deaths this year this followed by Colon with 33 homicides.

June closed with 32 victims, but it the last weekend was the most violent with 10 people killed.