Violent weekend in Puerto Rico

San Juan, Agency
Another violent weekend ended in Puerto Rico with 14 people slain, bringing to 742 the number of fatalities in armed clashes so far this year, authorities said Monday.

The death toll is 50 percent higher than at this time last year.

The latest victim was businesswoman Maribel Cartagena, 53, found a few meters (yards) from her home in the San Juan suburb of Caguas, with a fatal stab wound to the abdomen with a sharp object.

Puerto Rico is going through a crime wave along with the police corruption and drug trafficking that are the main problems afflicting the Caribbean island.

The FBI carried out last Wednesday the biggest operation in its history against police corruption linked to drug trafficking that led to 133 arrests, including dozens of law enforcement personnel.

Those in custody are accused of conspiracy with intent to distribute narcotics and of using firearms while committing crimes related to drug trafficking.