Uruguay, Chile and Costa Rica Rated as Safest Countries in Latinamerica

Friday, April 30th 2010 - 06:00 UTC

Full article 8 comments

Argentina suffers most from drug-related crimes, says FTI Consulting

For the second year in a row, Chile is the safest country of Latin America, a study carried out by FTI Consulting (International Forensic Technologies) showed. Chile shares this position with Uruguay and Costa Rica, as it has since 2009.

This year, Chile is at a level 2 of insecurity, on a 1 to 5 sale (1 being the safest country and 5 the most insecure). Level 2 is labelled 'stable without changes'. Reasons for Chile's positive ranking include the respect for the country's police forces (Carabineros) and the punishments for petty crimes such as robberies and vehicle theft. Chile shares this position with Uruguay and Costa Rica.

Data used in the study came from local police stations and NGOs. Like in 2009, Chile's evaluation said “only a few regions show a high murder rate.” FTI Consulting says “the lack of security continues as the main concern of city dwellers and the private sector in the whole region, from Argentina to Mexico.”

High risk countries have shown no improvements since 2009. Haiti and Venezuela remain the most dangerous countries in the region, with a level 5 ranking (most insecure). Compared to last year, Venezuela's situation worsened, since it rose from level 4 to level 5.

Haiti, after the earthquake in January is also being plagued by higher delinquency. El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico follow closely with a level 4 ranking (high insecurity). The latter country's problems, according to the report, are mostly due to drug trafficking.

Argentina also suffers most from drug-related crimes, despite its efforts to improve the city police. It is still a high risk country with city crimes as the country's second cause of danger. FTI says Brazil, rated level 4 is handling its security problem best.

By Loretta van der Horst – Santiago Times

Categories: Politics, Latin America.

Tags: Chile, Costa Rica, crime, Latin America, politics, security, Uruguay.

Top Comments

Disclaimer & comment rules

NicoDin
This is pure propaganda, Forensic Technologies Inc (a private company) sells ballistic identification technology, finger print recognition technology, etc. and Chile and Uruguay are among it’s clients.
http://www.fti-ibis.com/c1-2.html

Chile and Uruguay have higher crime 40,263 than Argentina. And Costa Rica seems to be the safer place in the world ??? may be there is nothing to steal there??? Can that be the answer?

Costa Rica:
Total population: 4,253,877
Total crime: 40,263
Crime Rate: 0,0094

Argentina:
Total Population: 40,913,584
Total crime: 1,340,529 cases
Crime rate: 0,32

Chile:
Total Population: 16,601,707
Total crime: 593,997 cases
Crime rate: 0,035

Uruguay:
Total population: 3,494,382
Total crime: 134,010 cases
Crime rate: 0,038

Canada: 33,487,208
Total Population:
Total crime: 2,516,918
Rime rate: 0,075

Source: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Centre for International Crime Prevention

I just wonder how countries with more crime per capita are found the most safer place by Forensic Technologies Inc. May be they include and offer of “statistic a la carte” when purchasing they products.
Apr 30th, 2010 - 12:57 pm 0
J.A. Roberts
NicoDin, I wish you would apply the same rigorous thought in your analysis of the Falkland issue...
Apr 30th, 2010 - 10:35 pm 0
Matias
1. NicoDin, seems your United Nations data confirms the article. Can't you read your own post? Argentina has the highest crime rate: 0.32 is MORE than 0.0094 or 0.038... Learn your maths! High crime rate is BAD... low is GOOD...
Apr 30th, 2010 - 11:11 pm 0

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