In the Dominican Republic, violence is nothing new. But in the past few years, the number of killings has spiked, making the country one of the most dangerous places in the world.
In 2015, there were 4,369 homicides in the Dominican Republic, which works out to a rate of 12.6 per 100,000 people. That’s more than three times the global average of 3.6 per 100,000.
The vast majority of the killings are carried out with guns, and most of the victims are young men.
There are many theories about why the violence has increased, but no one really knows for sure. Some say it’s because of the drug trade, others say it’s because of the weak economy.
Whatever the reason, the killings are having a devastating effect on the country. Families are being torn apart, and the economy is suffering as businesses close down and tourism decreases.
The government has tried to crack down on the violence, but so far nothing has worked. The only thing that seems to be making a difference is a grassroots movement of people who are working to promote peace and non-violence.
It’s going to be a long and difficult road, but it’s the only hope for the Dominican Republic.
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