Morelos tops Mexico’s lethal violence list as report notes decline in Nuevo León

A México Evalúa report covering January‑May 2026 shows Morelos had the highest lethal‑violence rate in the country, at 58.2 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants. The figure exceeds the next highest states, Colima (57.5) and Baja California (39.7). In the same period the state opened 407 intentional homicide cases, 135 culpable homicide cases, 14 femicides and 327 other violent‑death cases, and recorded 2,038 active missing‑person reports.

The report also highlights Nuevo León’s comparatively low violence level. The state recorded a lethal‑violence rate of 12.1 per 100,000, about 36% below the national average of 18.8. Intentional homicides fell from 382 in the first five months of 2025 to 197 in the same period of 2026, a reduction of nearly 50%. Nuevo León’s security improvement is noted as a factor supporting its strong investment climate and industrial activity.