Crime stats are up in the first three months of 2025. The Interior Ministry released numbers showing 99 homicides. That’s 14 more than the same time last year.
Most victims were men – 89 out of 99. More than half died from gunshot wounds. Montevideo saw the most homicides, with 56 cases. Canelones had 10, while Rivera and prisons each had five. The majority of homicides, 65, happened outdoors; 25 occurred at homes, and nine were at businesses.
Many victims had a history with the law. 22 had non-violent offenses, nine had violent ones, and 26 had both. 14 were linked to drug crimes. The remaining 38 had no prior offenses. Police say most homicides were due to
gang-related disputes
. Other causes included spontaneous violence, domestic disputes, and robberies. But in 23 cases, the motive remains unclear.
In most cases, the killer and victim knew each other. There were eight domestic violence homicides. Six victims were women, and two were men. These crimes happened in different parts of the country. In five cases, the killer was a family member. In three, it was a partner or ex-partner. They took place in various locations, including Artigas, Montevideo, and smaller towns. The data shows a mix of violent crime types. It also highlights the ongoing issue of domestic violence. The numbers have risen, sparking concern among law enforcement and the public.