Information sources are inconsistent among countries and within the countries themselves, and data publication is irregular, rendering comparative studies almost impossible. Thus, only a superficial understanding of criminality can be gathered for many of these countries. In Colombia, crimes against property and persons are the most frequent. Yet in Honduras, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico most of the serious crimes were against persons. In Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela, and the British Antilles, most crimes were against property. Generally, areas that border the Caribbean report lower crime rates but as modernization occurs, these rates are rising. Moreover, to be considered along with these statistics are unreported crimes, crimes that are simply not punished (military government crimes of violence and exploitation, child abuse, psychiatric hospital brutality, white-collar crimes of fraud and embezzlement), and political crimes that in some respects are excusable such as terrorism or guerrilla activity by oppressed peoples. In understanding Caribbean criminality, the background of the Caribbean peoples must be taken into account--their Indian and Spanish origins with traditions of extreme class consciousness, nepotism, and a heritage of sacrificial rites; psychological traits with rigid principles of family cohesion, honor and virility; demographic factors such as mortality and extensive migration; and socioeconomic aspects such as lack of education, food, or shelter. As urbanization, family disintegration, and political instability have grown so has the propensity for crime. The few statistics on juvenile delinquency have shown primary offenses to be against property, vandalism, and brawls. All the countries have developed juvenile justice systems, but the age of responsibility varies from 12 to 18 years of age. Most juvenile judges prefer security or protective measures over institutionalization of juvenile delinquents. Many statistics for the various countries are quoted and a map of the region is provided. --in French.