From January 1st through March 26th Costa Rica registers a total 145 homicides, 6 more than the number registered in the same period in 2017, according to statistics by the Judicial Investigative Police (OIJ).

Alvaro Gonzalez, Chief of the Homicides Division from the Judicial Investigative Police, stated during a press conference, that the initial investigations determine that the majority of the cases are related to settlement of scores between criminal organizations.

The press conference was held in relation to the three homicides registered in San Jose in the night of March 24th, two of which took place in the community of Cristo Rey and another one in Leon XIII in Tibas, both problematic locations.

Costa Rica closed 2017 with 602 homicides, averaging 12 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants.

San Jose is the province that registers a higher homicide rate in the country.