Turks And Caicos Battling The Region’s ‘Highest Murder Rate’

TURKS & CAICOS – Last year Turks and Caicos recorded 48 homicides, and for a population of less than 50,000, gave it the worst murder rate per capita in Latin America and The Caribbean.

This year the territory had already recorded 24 killings up to mid-August. The country recorded its first mass shooting in its history in July, which left 4 dead and 9 injured.

Recently implemented anti-crime efforts include temporary curfews, tighter controls on establishments selling alcohol, and increased search powers for police.

Premier Washington Misick recently wrote to British Foreign Secretary David Lammy to express the “gravity” of the situation, reminding that the U.K. has ultimate responsibility for the territory’s defence and internal security.

A 2024 United Nations report spoke of an “intensification of organized crime and lethal violence” across the Caribbean region.