Mexico murders soar to 25,000 in a year

There were more than 25,000 murders across drug-ravaged Mexico in 2017, the highest annual tally since modern records began, government data has shown.

Mexico has struggled with years of violence as the government battles vicious drug cartels that have splintered into smaller gangs.

However, the country last week dismissed a claim by Donald Trump, the US president, that it was the most dangerous in the world.

The homicide rate per 100,000 inhabitants climbed to 20.51, lower than Venezuela, with 57, and El Salvador (60.8).