Mexico crime data discrepancies spark political debate

Discrepancies between homicide data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) and the Executive Secretariat of the National Public Security System (SESNSP) have sparked debate regarding crime reporting accuracy in Mexico.

Experts explain that the two agencies use different methodologies. INEGI records all bodies entering forensic services, including those from accidents, suicides, and natural causes. In contrast, SESNSP tracks specific criminal investigation files, such as intentional homicide and femicide. This distinction accounts for why INEGI figures often appear higher than SESNSP reports.

In Baja California Sur, Governor Víctor Manuel Castro Cosío defended his administration against claims by Senator Ricardo Anaya Cortés, who suggested the state was misrepresenting crime figures. The Governor rejected the accusations, citing the different ways statistics are integrated, and criticized previous administrations for their handling of violence and missing persons data.