(AP Photo/Chris Arias) Deadly violence in Mexico declined from January to February this year, with homicide cases falling from 1,941 to 1,838 and homicide victims falling from 2,156 to 2,098. The month-to-month respite may be little relief, as the first two months year have continued a string of violent records, both exceeding their counterparts last year in terms of homicides. Moreover, the first two months of this year are the deadliest such period on record. January's 2,2156 homicide victims were 38.8% more than recorded in the same month last year, and February's 2,098 homicide victims were a 30% increase over the second month last year. The number of homicide cases, which can contain more than one victim, were up in January and February by 34.6% and 24.3%, respectively, over January and February 2016. The 3,779 homicides cases recorded over January and February are a 29.4% increase over the same period in 2016 and the most experienced in Mexico over that period since the government started releasing statistics in 1997.