At the start of 2026, Yucatán registered an atypical surge of nearly 50% in its overall crime rate compared to the same period of the previous year.
Although data from the Executive Secretariat of the National Public Security System (SESNSP) keeps the state in 30th place out of 32 in total crime volume (maintaining its relative status as one of the safest in the country), the state is facing a wave of high-impact crimes and gender-based violence that has raised local alarms.
Crime Overview and Increase in 2026
Increase in Investigation Files: The figures for the first four months of the year show a clear break in the downward trend of previous years, with notable increases in crimes against life and property.
Gun violence: The perception of tranquility has been shaken by incidents uncommon for the local population, including direct attacks with firearms and attempted executions in municipalities such as Oxkutzcab and residential areas in northern Mérida.
Property crimes: Damage to property and related offenses doubled at the beginning of the year, displacing traditional theft in the local criminal landscape.
Femicides and gender-based violence
Gender-based violence shows a trend that worries both activists and civil organizations:
Completed cases: After closing 2025 with at least 11 femicides registered by collectives, 2026 has already seen four officially confirmed cases, following a recent wave of violence concentrated in May in the outskirts and areas of the capital.
Attempted femicides: For the first time, the National Public Security System (SESNSP) explicitly included this data in its monthly reports, revealing that in Yucatán, an average of one case file is opened each month for attempted femicide.
Reclassification problem: Organizations that support citizen platforms like Yucatán Feminicida point out that historically, almost 30% of serious attacks against women end up being prosecuted under lesser charges such as “assault” or “domestic violence,” obscuring the real lethal risk.
Sources: Yucatan a la mano / SIPSE
