QCOSTARICA – Alajuelita, the canton on the south side of San José, has authorities and residents extremely worried of what is happening in their neighbourhood.
Located in the center of the province of San José, on the intervolcanic plateau of the Central Valley, and partially belonging to the Greater Metropolitan Area, the canton with a population of just under 100,000, has recorded 10 homicides in the first 56 days of the year, an increase of more than double the number of cases compared to the same period in 2024.
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Randall Zúñiga, head of the Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ) – Judicial Investigation Agency – explained a power struggle between groups over drug sales points in Alajuelita, has been the reason for the growth in crime in the area during 2025.
The sectors of San Felipe and Concepción register crime figures that place them as the main points where more cases of homicides, assaults, thefts, and vehicle theft are reported.
The situation worries the authorities, who assure that the main leader of the Desamparados area is expanding to a territory that has historically been dominated by “Los Lara.”
There were no homicides reported in November 2024, as security authorities carried out an operation called Guardián. However, by December the operation was lifted and 8 cases were reported.
The OIJ reports for the period between January 1 and February 26, the following:
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Homicides:
- Alajuelita center: 4 cases
- San Felipe: 3 cases
- Concepción: 3 cases
Hours of incidents:
- 00:00 a.m. to 2:59 a.m.: 7 cases
- 6:00 a.m. to 8:59 a.m.: 1 case
- 12:00 p.m. to 2:59 p.m.: 1 case
- 9:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.: 1 case
Days of the week:
- Monday: 5 cases
- Tuesday: 2 cases
- Wednesday: 1 case
- Thursday: 2 cases
- Friday: 0 cases
- Saturday: 0 cases
- Sunday: 0 cases
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Reports of assaults, robberies and vehicle thefts
- San Felipe: 9 cases
- Alajuelita: 7 cases
- Concepción: 6 cases
- San Josecito: 4 cases
- Unknown: 4 cases
Hours
- 00:00 a.m. to 2:59 a.m.: 1 case
- 3:00 a.m. to 5:59 a.m.: 2 cases
- 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.: 4 cases
- 6:00 p.m. to 8:59 p.m.: 9 cases
- 9:00 p.m. at 11:59 p.m.: 11 cases
- Unknown: 3 cases
Days
- Monday: 2 cases
- Tuesday: 5 cases
- Wednesday: 6 cases
- Thursday: 1 case
- Friday: 3 cases
- Saturday: 6 cases
- Sunday: 7 cases
Decrease in the number of complaints
The OIJ records reveal that the number of complaints for assaults, robberies and vehicle thefts decreased in the first 2 months of the year, compared to the same period in 2024.
Data as of February 26, 2025 indicate that the OIJ received 30 complaints, while in the same period of the previous year, 65 cases were registered.
However, authorities explain that the drop does not necessarily mean a decrease in criminality in the canton, rather residents prefer not to make reports in fear of retaliations.
The situation in Alajuelita is worrisome. In the words of Rosario Siles, mayor of the canton, she says that the situation worries her.
“We are worried, extremely worried. What we have seen is that this is a national emergency. No canton or province is immune to organized crime,” said the mayor.
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