10 MOST DANGEROUS CITIES IN THE WORLD 2014, - aleppo is number 1!

Last year, American Live Wire released our list of the Most Dangerous Cities in the World for 2013 based on murders per capita. Latin America stole the show taking all top 10 spots, which got us thinking – maybe we should take a couple other factors into consideration this time. In no particular order, the Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities in the World 2014, based on violent crime rates, political turmoil and economic potential – or lack thereof.

1   Aleppo, Syria A city under siege. Citizens are crossing from Aleepo – Syria’s economic hub – to Turkey in exodus fashion, as protests between citizens and government has erupted into an all out civil war. After three years of food and fuel shortages, Syria has become unlivable. Since the new year, attacks continue to escalate killing citizens by the hundreds. Power and water is cut, trash piles up spreading disease. Over 100,000 civilians have fled the front lines of a genocidal regime, even risking a feared bridge targeted by snipers, to cross into Turkey.

10 MOST DANGEROUS CITIES IN THE WORLD 2014 - Aleppo Is Number 1!

2   San Pedro Sula, Honduras For the third consecutive year, San Pedro Sula in Honduras is the murder capital of the world, where random criminal violence took the lives of 1,411 citizens last year in a city of 752,990. As a nation, Honduras averages 20 reported murders a day. Experts say Mexico’s offense against drug cartels and the U.S. deportation of criminal immigrants pushes the problem south and due to Honduras’ convenient location, most activity has come to centralize here.

10 MOST DANGEROUS CITIES IN THE WORLD 2014 - Aleppo Is Number 1!

3   Caracas, Venezuela Violence and governmental protest continue to increase along with inflation and crime since the passing of Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez, on March 5, 2013. Protestors flood the streets of Venezuelan capital, Caracas, almost daily. Numerous youth have resided to either engage in violent protest or have given up on the country, taking opportunities to study abroad in an attempt to trampoline out of the country as its living conditions have been described by citizens as “impossible.” A coup d’etat has been deemed imminent.

10 MOST DANGEROUS CITIES IN THE WORLD 2014 - Aleppo Is Number 1!

4   Cape Town, South Africa Though numbers appear low, Cape Town makes the list for the fact that violence in South Africa is increasing. Numbers had been on a downward trend for the past nine years, but are beginning to rise as of late. While the rise in the murder rate was slight, at 0.6 percent, the number of attempted murders rose by 6.5 percent, violent house robberies by 3.6 percent and carjackings by 5.4 percent. Drug-related crime rose by 13.5 percent and truck hijackings by nearly 15 percent. Attacks are described as opportune and indiscriminate.

10 MOST DANGEROUS CITIES IN THE WORLD 2014 - Aleppo Is Number 1!

5   Kabul, Afghanistan United Nations and American agents fear a risk of civil war in Afghanistan once American troops pull out of the country by the end of this year. With troops pulling out, Afghanistan is set to make decisions on their own – like a recent announcement to release 65 alleged Taliban fighters from jail despite objections. In 2013, Afghanistan saw an increase in woman protestors demanding their rights, but have since regressed – along with an increasing disregard for human rights in general. In lieu with such political turmoil and a history of terrorist extremists, an up-crease in suicide bombings in Kabul aren’t an if, but a when.

10 MOST DANGEROUS CITIES IN THE WORLD 2014 - Aleppo Is Number 1!

6   Acapulco, Mexico The high rises, cute vacation homes and international stores do a good job of masking what lies under the surface, as Acapulco is Mexico’s most dangerous city – even over border town Ciudad Juarez. Acapulco, once a luxurious sea port and tropical retreat, has fallen host to drug cartel wars over territory due to its strategic location along trade routes. In an attempt to defend the city’s money-making tourist areas, locals receive second-rate protection from gangs and public beaches continue to make great dumping grounds for spreading messages – beheadings are a favorite.

10 MOST DANGEROUS CITIES IN THE WORLD 2014 - Aleppo Is Number 1!

7   Mogadhisu, Somalia Coastal city Mogadishu has seen worse days, but it is far from safe for travel. All western nations still hold travel advisory warnings against all of Somalia, especially it’s capital of Mogadishu. While the city is beginning to gain a little footing in it’s fight for control, it’s steps are only minor with threats of kidnapping, terrorism and piracy still reigning high against westerners. Attacks are indiscriminate and often in crowded places and high-profiled events or areas frequented by foreigners.

10 MOST DANGEROUS CITIES IN THE WORLD 2014 - Aleppo Is Number 1!

8   Karachi, Pakistan Though the rates seem low at 12.3 murders per capita, Karachi’s rate is much higher than all other large cities in the world – about 25 percent higher. Amongst the political in-fighting and lawlessness, Karachi has become especially famous for its motorbike riding assassins, known as “target killers”. For $700-$1000, these target killers will assassinate police, protesters, businessmen, political opponents and innocent citizens without question.

10 MOST DANGEROUS CITIES IN THE WORLD 2014 - Aleppo Is Number 1!

9   Maceio, Brazil Crack cocaine markets are on the rise in Maceio and drives much of it’s crime. Very addicting, and a favorite of the impoverished, many of Maceio’s poor find themselves quickly in over their heads. Unable to pay back their debt they are then made example of by the cartels. This instills fear in the people and ensures the cartel holds higher control than that of the government. And with the world cup coming this summer many are worried that violence may rise, not just in Maceio, but all of Brazil.

10 MOST DANGEROUS CITIES IN THE WORLD 2014 - Aleppo Is Number 1!

10   Camden, New Jersey Camden, New Jersey, beats out the USA’s two most notorious impoverished cities this year to become not only America’s poorest, but it’s most dangerous city as well. Unemployment is estimated at 30-40 percent with a 70 percent high school dropout rate. Corruption is rampant. In two decades, three mayors have been sent to prison and police have been found guilty of planting evidence, making false arrests and trading drugs for prostitutes. Over a hundred open air drug markets are run by the cities many gangs, from the Bloods to MS-13, and is one of the city’s few thriving businesses.

10 MOST DANGEROUS CITIES IN THE WORLD 2014 - Aleppo Is Number 1!