Violent deaths in Venezuela decrease slightly, according to report from the Venezuelan Violence Observatory

(CNN) – Violent deaths in Venezuela had a slight decrease compared to the previous year, according to the Annual Report of Violence of the Venezuelan Observatory of Violence (OVV) published this Tuesday. The results imply a slight reduction compared to the previous year when 11,891 deaths were registered.

According to the report, 11,081 violent deaths were registered in 2021 in the country, which translates into 40.9 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants. Of the total, 4,003 are still in the investigation phase; 3,112 were homicides for different reasons; 2,332 for resistance to authority; and 1,634 were the product of disappearances.

Violent deaths and organized crime

In a press conference, the director of the organization Roberto Briceño-León explained that homicides fell due to the paralysis of the economy and the “increasing” dominance of territories by organized crime that regulates or places limits on murders.

“Organized crime began to openly challenge the monopoly of government force and began to exercise governance, that is, they impose themselves with force and replace the State or generate a hybrid government situation,” Briceño-León said.

CNN contacted the Venezuelan Ministry of People’s Power for Communication and Information, the Public Ministry, and the Ministry of Interior and Justice for comment, but has yet to receive a response.

In addition, the report noted that the five entities with the highest rates this year per 100,000 inhabitants were the Capital district (77.9), Miranda (64.1), Bolívar (56.8), Delta Amacuro (52.1 ) and Aragua (50.8).

The Venezuelan Violence Observatory is a network that brings together 15 teams from 10 universities in the country, with the purpose of monitoring data and information, as well as producing, analyzing and disseminating knowledge on the magnitude, risk and social impact of violence in Venezuela.