In its weekly report, the OIJ reported that the capital San José is the province with the most homicides, registering 64 cases so far this year, followed by the Caribbean Limón with 56 and western Puntarenas with 44.

The list is completed by Cartago with 26 cases, Alajuela with 26, Guanacaste with 20 homicides and Heredia with 10 malicious events so far in 2024.

Of the homicides reported to date, a total of 229 were men, 11 were women and six were undefined.

When specifying the data by age range, the OIJ reported that from 12 to 17 years old, nine homicides occurred, 92 in people between 18 and 29 years old, while in the group between 30 and 39 years old, 54 people lost their lives.

Added to these are 36 murders in people between 40 and 49 years old, eight in those between 50 and 64 years old, seven in those over 65 years old and 33 still unknown.

The OIJ detailed in its report that among the causes of murders, the settling of scores or revenge occurred in 125 cases so far this year, in contrast to the 168 of this same case in 2023.

The argument or fight stands out with 21 cases, six homicides are reported due to domestic violence, and three for the reason of repelling criminal activity.

Costa Rica has been experiencing an unprecedented wave of violence for some time, which reached 907 murders in 2023.

In the opinion of the authorities, the causes are focused on drug trafficking and its derivatives, which are established in the country every day.

ef/npg/alb