Puerto Rico.- May closed as the month with the highest number of murders recorded so far in 2026, with 46 violent deaths counted, according to official statistics. The figure represents an increase of 11 cases compared to May 2025, when 35 homicides were reported.
With this balance, the accumulated number of murders between January and May rose to 205 cases, which represents an increase of 25 deaths, equivalent to 13.89%, compared to the same period last year.
The data reflect an upward trend during the first five months of the year. In January, 40 murders were recorded, in February 39, in March 37, and in April 43. Although January showed a reduction compared to 2025, the following months experienced increases compared to the previous year.
The San Juan and Bayamón areas topped the list of regions with the most homicides, with 37 cases each. In San Juan, nine more murders were reported than in the same period of 2025, while Bayamón recorded an increase of 11 cases. They were followed by Ponce, with 27 homicides, and Carolina, with 24, the latter with nine more cases than the previous year.
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Likewise, statistics show that between January 1 and May 31, one minor and 16 adult women were murdered. Of these cases, seven were classified as femicides. The violent death of nine men in events related to gender-based violence was also reported.
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Regarding adult men, 183 were victims of homicide during the first five months of the year, of which 79 cases were linked to drug trafficking. In addition, five minors were murdered, including two cases related to drug activities.
Weekends continued to concentrate the highest incidence of homicides. Saturdays recorded 41 murders, followed by Sundays with 33 and Fridays with 32. On the other hand, Thursdays were the days with the lowest number of reported cases, with 22.
Firearms remained the primary method used in crimes, present in 183 of the 205 recorded murders. Six cases involving bladed weapons, two with blunt objects, and 14 through other methods were also reported.
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Despite the increase in homicides, Puerto Rico authorities reported a reduction in Type I crimes, which totaled 8,260 complaints between January and May, 112 fewer than in the same period of 2025, representing a decrease of 1.34%.
Source: EL VOCERO
