Insecurity in Cúcuta

Abstract

The city of San José de Cúcuta, located in a border region of eastern Colombia, experiences high levels of both pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Despite its small size, it feels overwhelmed by the sheer number of people it serves. This influx is reflected in high unemployment and a rise in informal, unregistered employment, giving Cúcuta one of the highest unemployment rates in the country. This unemployment, in turn, manifests itself in increased crime, making Cúcuta one of the most unsafe cities in Colombia. While continuous investment in citizen security and technological upgrades for law enforcement agencies has provided some relief, each time security is invested, insecurity tends to rise; while one type of crime decreases, another increases. However, the city has undergone significant changes in infrastructure, the economy, and security, resulting in improved security indicators and economic growth by 2019. But even so, Cúcuta remains among the most dangerous capital cities in the country.