What holds Guatemala back: 4 - Insecurity

The latest PNC-released stats covering reported crimes throughout the year up to the end of the first week of December make sobering reading:

5,834 dead and 6,468 injured in numerous acts of violence. This includes the murders of 162 bus drivers, 6 ayudantes and 2 bus inspectors.

Plus...
- 1,250 people 'disappeared'
- 183 kidnappings
- 350 rapes
- 995 thefts of commercial property
- 1,808 thefts of firearms
- 5,515 stolen vehicles
- 78 attacks on tourists

August seems to be the peak month for both visitors to the country (171,235 in '08) and for murders (616 in '08).