Latin American Countries the Most Dangerous in the World According to UN

Latin American countries are the most dangerous nations in the world, at least according to a new report from the United Nations. Citing a lack of public safety, the UN declared Latin America to be the most insecure region in the world.

According to The Associated Press, the number of crimes committed in Latin American countries has risen at an alarming rate since 2012, which has directly affected the lifestyle of Hispanic families.

According to a report by the United Nations Development Programme, around 65 percent of Latinos considerably reduced their nights out due to fears of becoming a victim of crime, while 13 percent moved.

The report shows that in Latin American countries there are 100,000 murders per year, which resulted more than 1 million deaths between 2000 and 2010. Honduras and Mexico are the two countries with the largest number of murders.

The list of the most dangerous countries regarding robberies in Latin America is led by Argentina with 973 crimes per every 100,000 citizens; Mexico is in second place with 688; and Brazil is in third with 572. A toal of 6 out of every 10 robberies are violent. 

In an interview with AP, Heraldo Muñoz, director for the Latin American and Caribbean Program, said that insecurity caused a radical change in the lives of Latinos, who now take more precautions to keep their families safe.

"Since this has an impact in the lives of families, middle-class families are hiring private security. Today, throughout the region, we have 50 percent more private security agents that police officers. This only deepens the inequality that already existed", said Muñoz.

According to UN specialists, insecurity in Latin America affects economic development in every country because, despite the annual growth they show, crime figures keep rising.

As for the causes of the Latin America's crime crisis, the UN blames bad education systems, consumption, low social mobility, drug trafficking and high urban growth.