Police Superintendent Joseph González, joined by Associate Superintendent Colonel Orlando Rivera Lebrón, Assistant Superintendent for Criminal Investigations Colonel Manuel de Jesús Treskow, and Assistant Superintendent for Special Operations Colonel Carlos Cruz Burgos, presented an update on crime statistics in front of a display of illegal weapons recently seized by police. González said Puerto Rico has recorded 322 homicides so far in 2026, three fewer than the same period last year and lower than comparable figures for 2024, 2023, and 2022.
He stressed this was 'no reason to celebrate,' calling it instead evidence that sustained work produces results, requiring continued pressure, investigation, and removal of threats from communities. He explained that operational analysis showed 43% of homicides are linked to drugs and 32% to revenge or feuds, meaning nearly three of four homicides stem from those two causes.
He said police strategy targets criminal organizations, drug points, illegal weapons, and violence generators. He noted that between September 1 and 20, investigators solved 12 homicides, including one double homicide.