00:00In Venezuela, over the past decade, violent crime has dropped dramatically.
00:05San Agustin, once among Caracas's most violent areas, has become a symbol of commune-led
00:09success, where the local groups and supported policies have helped reduce homicide, strengthen
00:15safety and open areas to visitors' interest in its rich Afro-Venezuelan culture and commune
00:21life.
00:22Our correspondent, Brian Meir, has more.
00:26Over the last decade, Venezuela's murder rate has plummeted, reaching a historic low of
00:30less than two homicides per 100,000 residents in 2025.
00:36The working-class neighborhood of San Agustin is an example of the success and new strategies
00:40of fighting crime.
00:42During the 1990s, it was one of the three most violent neighborhoods in Venezuela.
00:46Now, thanks to the initiative of its community groups and good policies, it's one of the city's
00:52safest.
00:53In San Agustin, a Caracas neighborhood of 50,000, police work with community groups to improve
00:58intelligence and communications with residents, and the government has provided funding to
01:02transform vacant spaces where criminal activities were taking place into sports and culture.
01:07In San Agustin, a Caracas neighborhood of 50,000, police work with community groups to improve
01:11intelligence and communications with residents, and the government has provided funding to
01:16transform vacant spaces where criminal activities were taking place into sports and cultural centers.
01:18This has contributed to a culture of peace.
01:20The teaching methods have changed, the way values are instilled in young people have changed.
01:27The things that truly should be valued have been given more importance.
01:28This has brought about a change in the youth.
01:32Nowadays, we don't have such violent young people.
01:33I remember when I was young, the kids in my generation were really violent.
01:37Nowadays, young people are calmer, more aware of their time and their place.
01:44One result of the plummeting crime rate in San Agustin is that now people have changed.
01:45People have changed.
01:46The things that truly should be valued have been given more importance.
01:50This has brought about a change in the youth.
01:53Nowadays, we don't have such violent young people.
01:56I remember when I was young, the kids in my generation were really violent.
02:00Nowadays, young people are calmer, more aware of their time and their place.
02:10One result of the plummeting crime rate in San Agustin is that now people from around the city,
02:15the nation and the world have started visiting the neighborhood,
02:18enjoying its services and learning about its history as one of the historic centers of Afro-Venezuelan culture and music.
02:27This was once the most crime-reading neighborhood in the country.
02:31But today, this neighborhood is considered a national cultural treasure.
02:35It is that simple.
02:37Residents of San Agustin have worked together with their government to transform their community into a better place.
02:44Brian Muir, Telesur, Caracas.
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