The city may be largely unheard of, but Recife in Brazil had 1,656 homicides in a city of 3,717,640 inhabitants. The city is the fifth-largest metropolitan area in Brazil and it is commonly referred to as the "Brazilian Venice", due to its many bridges and canals. So for a city that seems to have so much in its favor, why all of the violence?
Medellin in Colombia
The 24th most dangerous city on the list is the city of Medellin in Colombia, with a reported 1,175 homicides per 2,393,011 inhabitants. It is believed that much of the violence can be blamed on criminal bands trying to gain control of certain territories. However, homicide is actually on the gradual decrease in this city, as 1991 alone reported 6,349 homicides.
Cucuta in Colombia
If you’re thinking of travelling to Columbia any time soon, then take note. The city of Cucuta is highly dangerous, and it ranked 23 on the world’s most dangerous cities list. There was a reported 346 homicides for just 637,302 inhabitants.
New Orleans
New Orleans is the first American city to make it onto the list of the most dangerous cities in the world. There were a reported 93 homicides per 343,829 inhabitants. It is believed that many of the deaths are due to a high rate of gun crime, as well as gang warfare and drug lords.
Nuevo Laredo in Mexico
Nuevo Laredo in Mexico is also a city notorious for its high rates of crime and violence. The city has produced an alarming 288 murders for 385,315 inhabitants per year. It is reported that violence has particularly exploded since the Sinaloa Cartel entered the city to fight the Zetas.
Barquisimeto in Venezuela
Barquisimeto is estimated to have had 804 homicides for 1,120,718 inhabitants each year. In 2011, the Global Study on Homicide, published by the UN, placed Venezuela as the South American country with the highest rate of crime and violence.
Joao Pessoa in Brazil
Joao Pessoa is another dangerous city in Brazil. There was a whopping 508 homicides reported for 723,515 inhabitants. In December, president Dilma Rouseff stated that three in every 1000 Brazilian teens are murdered before turning 19. - Very dangerous indeed.
Culiacan in Mexico
The city of Culiacan, in Mexico, is number 16 on the list. The report estimated that 549 homicides occurred for 884,601 inhabitants. The city of Culiacan is also the fourth Mexican city on the most dangerous cities in the world list. Looks like Mexico may also find itself on the “biggest decrease in tourism” list soon too.
Detroit
Detroit is another U.S city to make the notorious list. There were a recorded 386 murders for 606,585 inhabitants in the last year alone. CQ Press also initiated a study of their own, and they believed that Detroit is certainly one of the most violent cities in the whole of the United States.
Acapulco in Mexico
So which city is a close second on the list? The once-popular tourist destination of Acapulco in Mexico. A rise in murderous violence between drug lords and criminals has now made tourists avoid the sunny destination. The city reported 1,170 murders for 818,853 inhabitants.
