Region - Extortion is up

Statistics and anecdotal reporting suggest extortion is increasing in many cities across the region, driven by small local gangs that create a complex problem.

Anecdotal reporting as well as statistics across the region suggest crime is up from both 2019 and 2020 levels in nearly every major city in the region. The increase in crime was expected given the recession caused by the pandemic. 

Extortion is up. I’ve seen reports of increasing extortion attempts out of Mexico City, Bogota, São Paulo, Guatemala City, …