Homicides in Mexico: Why does INEGI report 20% more cases than prosecutors?

The growing divergence between homicide figures reported by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) and the National Public Security System reveals a critical fragility in the official statistical system. This gap, which has increased significantly in recent years, suggests substantial methodological differences or, potentially, the deliberate omission of data by prosecutorial authorities. The debate over which source is more accurate is intensifying, as each entity uses different criteria to count victims, thereby generating distrust in official information. This phenomenon is fundamental to the open data movement, as it illustrates the consequences of the lack of interoperability and transparency among government institutions. When open and public data present irreconcilable contradictions, the ability of civil society and researchers to rigorously analyze security issues is eroded. Inconsistency prevents objective assessments of the impact of public policies and hinders accountability. The relevance of the article lies in its warning about the crisis of credibility in open data. If official sources do not harmonize their methodologies or disclose their discrepancies, the utility of information as a democratic tool is compromised. It is imperative to promote quality standards and alignment in data publication to ensure that citizens can trust national statistics and make informed decisions based on documented reality.

Source: sopitas.com
Published on 2026-11-13

Homicides in Mexico: Why does INEGI report 20% more cases than prosecutors?

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