Drugs, murders, human trafficking, and terrorism are all indicators of violence in our world, with its presence more heavily noted in some countries than others. People live in fear and delinquents do not value human life where crime is prevalent, and a common element of their daily lives. Forthcoming is a list enumerating the most dangerous countries (not at war) on our planet and the reasons behind it, in correlation with statistics on NationMaster.com. You wouldn’t want to be caught dead living there, literally.
5. Russia. In this crime-ridden, ex-Soviet state, no longer does the government stuff their Armani suits with rubles, but the vandals and gangsters. The Russian mafia runs amuck, there are more gangsters than police, and a Russian is assassinated every 18 minutes, averaging 84 murders per day in a nation of 143 million. The nucleus of Russian crime is stationed in the Republic of Chechnya, a region within Russia just north of Georgia. Prostitution, drug trafficking, and underground restaurants are arbitrarily controlled by the Chechens. Foreigners are kidnapped more frequently due to the higher ransom allocated. Crimes towards include but are not limited to: pick pocketing wallets, cell phones, cameras, cash, and physical assaults. From superpower to Third World country, think tanks are beginning to speculate if communism really was the cure for Russia.
4. Venezuela. Political tension and a widening gap between the high and low classes (the middle class is thinning tremendously) are to blame for this country’s ridiculously high crime rates. Homicide has skyrocketed by 67% since Hugo Chavez took office in 1999. It has one of the highest gun-related deaths in the world, categorizing it as one of the most dangerous nations in Latin America and the world. Corrupt law enforcement does not do much to keep civil order, as many policemen themselves are delinquents in uniform. This causes victim citizens to take orders into their own hands. Hitmen can be hired for as little as $20. People are shot and killed for petty reasons such as dirty looks and insults. Murders in Venezuela average 5 per day in a nation of 25.6 million.
3. Jamaica. This island country has a bad reputation for crime ever since the rise of tourism, especially in its capital, Kingston. Gangs and politics are the cause for most civil break outs and manifestations which quickly can escalate to shootings. An average of 5 murders per day in a small nation of 2.6 million is tremendously high. Crimes usually occur in the poorer sectors of big cities, though that does not confine it. Corruption and the wide-spread illegal drug trade contribute to the increasing numbers of assaults, robberies, and murders. The Jamaican law enforcement is weak and ineffective and the lower class has thing, stringy ties with family units, combining to create the resort to violence and theft. The first thing people usually see when they tune into the news at night, are reports of deaths.
2. South Africa. The rich class in South Africa has moved into gated communities, creating a schism between classes and evidently races, one which was theoretically abolished during the apartheid. It is ranked first in rapes per capita amongst the whole world and has a notorious record for car hijacking. The problem is so severe, that women are allowed to speed through red lights to avoid being car hijacked, or worse. One of its capitals, Johannesburg, is the most dangerous, with almost all middle-class and high-class families carrying weapons merely for protection. Peter Murgatroyd, resident of Cape Town, says “As a 30 year old born in SA spending most of my life here, I have stab wounds in my back, a few times I’ve had a gun shoved in my face, my car and house broken several times and I purchased another ‘security’ product this week. Enough said.” (BBC.com) South Africa averages 50 murders a day in a nation of 47 million.
1. Colombia. Infamous for its guerrillas, illegal cocaine “industry”, and corrupt government, no wonder Colombia ranks as “The Most Dangerous Country in the World”. Bombings targeting civilians are common and terrorism is a way of life for most citizens who have grown accustomed to the chaos. It has a high rating for kidnappings with ransoms, with businesspeople, tourists, journalists, and scientists being frequent targets, though no one is actually excluded from kidnappings. Hot spots include ATMs, taxis, restaurants, and simply walking down the street. Those who try to resist robberies usually get shot and killed. Bogota, Baranquilla, Cartagena, and Medellin are statistically categorized as the most dangerous cities, with Medellin holding the title of the Drug Capital and “Most Dangerous City in the World.” With 11 murders a day in a city of merely 2 million, its murder rates is quintupled that of New York City. In recent years, murders rates in Colombia have dropped, but not enough to pass the title to South Africa. Though what was previously mentioned may be misinformation, as critics have accused President Uribe of manipulating the crime date, making Colombia seem safer than it really is. What is behind all the heinous crimes? An expanding drug market and a plethora of terrorist groups, and a government that does nothing about it. Colombia averages 47 murders a day in a nation of 45 million, giving it the crown of “Most Dangerous”.