In fact, according toInSight Crime there has definitely been around a 26% drop in crime since 2016. That said, the governmentclaimsthere has been a 52%decreasein violent crime over the past five years. But this article is written for savvy travellers from the perspective of savvy travellers. TEGUCIGALPA, Jan 7 (Reuters) - The Honduran government on Saturday extended a state of emergency declaration for 45 days, expanding it to additional areas of the country in an effort to fight. Violence in Honduras is usually attributed to gangs and organised crime, but US federal prosecutors have implicated high-level politicians, the military and police in cocaine trafficking to the US . Women in Honduras face high levels of gender-based violence. Of course, being a woman anywhere is going to come with additional risk. Activist groups, like the Grupo Prisma, have formed that educate and inform the general public as well as fight the current rules against homosexual relationships. Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency to fight gang crimes like extortion. Late Thursday, Honduran President Xiomara Castro proposed a measure to limit constitutional The MS13 and Barrio 18 street gangs control urban neighborhoods in the countrys two major cities Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula and rural towns close to the border with El Salvador. The violence is carried out by local drug trafficking groups, gangs, corrupt security forces and transnational criminal organizations mainly from Mexico and Colombia. It can get SUPER hot in Honduras. The crime rates are improving and the government is putting a lot of effort into attracting more tourists. The number one network in cable, FNC has been the most-watched television news channel for 18 consecutive years. Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency against gang crimes like extortion. Police chief Gustavo Sanchez said the decision, based on what he told journalists were good results during December, will allow continued reductions in crime and violence. The primary drivers of this violence are gangs like the Barrio 18 and MS13, which concentrate their criminal activities in urban areas and recruit young people, many of whom are suffering from widespread economic inequality and a lack of opportunity. Youll also have to take care that your children dont stay in the sun fortoo long. Since 2012, the Honduran police have implemented a program sponsored by the US Department of State called Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT) which aims to discourage youth crime and gang recruitment. We travel with a filter bottle, the GRAYL GEOPRESS or we just boil the water for a few minutes and store in a refillable water bottle. Reaching primary sources and getting the real story involve extensive fieldwork. If we didnt have Bukeles example, we could probably look for some control and security responses based on strengthening institutions.. Extortion and Sexual Violence: Womens Unspoken Suffering, Loan Sharking Grows in Costa Rica by Piggybacking on Drug Trafficking, Extortion of Guatemalas Red Buses: Where Gang and Elite Criminal Interests Meet, The Lucky Kingpin: How Chepe Diablo Has (So Far) Ridiculed Justice, Guatemala's Mafia State and the Case of Mauricio Lpez Bonilla, University Deans and Guatemalas Convoluted Road to a New Attorney General, GameChangers 2022: Drug Bonanza Amid Prohibition Challenges in 2023, Honduras' State of Exception May Set Worrying Precedent, Why Money Launderers in Honduras May Be Getting Away With It, Military Arsenals Provide Convenient Source of Weapons for Latin American Gangs, Extortion in Northern Triangle Worth Over $1 Billion Annually: Report, Latin American Leaders Voice Security Concerns At United Nations General Assembly. Her words echo those of Bukele, who has railed against human rights groups, government watchdogs and journalists who have questioned his tactics, saying that they are on the side of the gangs. The US is losing allies in Latin America just as production of cocaine, fentanyl, and other synthetic drugs is going through the roof. They practice "war taxing", which is essentially just demanding money from people. ThisCentral Americancountry suffers from what many countries in the region have suffered from or are currently battling with namely corruption, gangs,anddrugs. Patrick said the inmates were captured about 7:45 AM in downtown Newton. How Gangs Control Honduras - YouTube 0:00 / 11:46 Sign in to confirm your age This video may be inappropriate for some users. Gangs exercise territorial control over neighborhoods and extort residents throughout the country. Other ways to share Gangs attacking other gangs. A study by the National Violence Observatory of the National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH) placed the country as the most violent territory in Central America, with a homicide rate of 38.5 per 100,000 inhabitants. The Newton Police Department has arrested three escaped inmates from Scott County, according to Newton police chief, Randy Patrick. It also documented widespread mistreatment of people detained and arrested during the protests. Gang violence and organized crime are leading causes of displacement from Honduras. More information. Just in case, thats No quiero compartir el taxi.. But it has not yet resulted in an increase in police reports a key measure of public trust. Established in 2016 by the government and the Organization of American States (OAS), theMACCIHcontributed to the prosecution of 133 people, including congresspeople and senior officials, 14 of whom faced criminal trials. The government relies heavily on the military for public security. Not really. There are an estimated 115,000 gang members. Garza is wanted in Honduras for homicide. Honduran soldiers wearing facemasks guard the entrance to the city of San Pedro Sula during the coronavirus crisis on April 17, 2020. Honduras and theUS signed anasylum cooperative agreement in 2019, whereby Honduras agreed to receivenon-Honduran asylum-seekerstransferred by the US. Many women are choosing to flee the violence in their communities. That means getting used to gangs, violence, and corruption. Read on for more detailed information on how to have a safe trip to Honduras. This helps keep everyone in poverty. They face violence from gangs, the national civil police and the military police, members of the public, and their own families, as well as extortion by gangs and discrimination in schools and in the workplace. Close to 1 million migrants fled Honduras for the U.S. border over the eight-year tenure of former President Juan Orlando Hernndez, now facing drug trafficking charges after being arrested. Download Historical Data. So how do they do it?. Thats why we listed the no-go areas in Honduras below. TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency to fight gang crimes like extortion. Honduras, in general, is open and welcoming to children. Theres alsoLa Ceiba. That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we dont believe are up to scratch. But you wont be (in a Honduran gang, that is). This year a crew member of a cruise ship was murdered on Roatan and that combined with the mainland of the country being used by cartels as part of the drug pipeline to the U.S., plus the current immigration crisis on the U.S. border all together add up to bad press for the country of Honduras. Of course, you can book a local tour that can look after your safety during your trip, but make sure your research leaves you feeling absolutely confident in the reliability of the tour you choose. Honduras Private Sector and Anti-Extortion Police: An Unholy Alliance? Wed say only experienced, intrepid travelers should tackle this one alone. In the 2010s, Honduras' homicide rate skyrocketed, peaking in 2011 and slowly declining since. We provide specialized support for survivors of gender-based violence; create safe spaces for women, youth and the LGBTQ+ community; and also offer psychosocial counseling and social work support. It was a show: a show of force following the example set by the hardline policies of neighbouring El Salvador, where President Nayib Bukele has led a controversial crackdown on gangs that has led to the detention of more than 2% of its adult population. Chronic violence, climate crisis and the impacts of COVID-19 have deepened humanitarian needs and driven displacement. In January 2020, the OHCHR released a report saying that the armed forces and military police had used excessiveeven lethalforce in response to the protests that followed the 2017 election. Iris Argentina lvarez of the Cerro Escondido peasant cooperative, which has been working to recover land currently owned by a sugar company, was killed and three people were injured during a violent and allegedly illegal eviction in Choluteca in April 2020. Its dangerous there.. His security-at-all costs approach, and the reductions in violence and crime that have come with it, have found a captive audience in Honduras, but caused consternation among civil society, and closed down discussion of other options. Womenand girls who terminate pregnancies face prison sentences of up to six years. Nope. Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2018 was 38.93, a 5.01% decline from 2017. Officials flew Garza, a 48-year-old . Almost 110,000 Hondurans were returned in 2019, mostly from Mexico. In Honduras, Police Accused Of Corruption, Killings Hernndez ran for reelection in 2017 a controversial move in Honduras. . Many people do travel to this particular part of Honduras,even with their families. REUTERS/Fredy Rodriguez/File PhotoReuters. Every dollar supports our mission. And for transparencys sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. TEGUCIGALPA (Reuters) - Honduran authorities reported on Monday the discovery of more than 1.6 million coca leaf bushes in the most important. Keeping yourself away from any situation to do with them will be a good way to keep yourself pretty much safe. There are some safety pointsthat travelers should know for anywhere they travel, but Honduras requires these special considerations. El Salvador and Honduras have been condemned by the "civilized" world. Sign up to receive the latest updates from U.S News & World Report and our trusted partners and sponsors. In September, the OHCHR and IACHR expressed concern regarding the continued spread of the virus in prisons. Over60% of the populationlive below the poverty line. STANTON COUNTY, Neb. Honduras major drug trafficking groups like the Cachiros and the Valles have largely been dismantled with the arrest and extradition of top leaders, but vestiges of these clans continue to operate. And that is pretty cool. Wed classify it as generally hazardous. On average, children living in Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador are 10 times more likely to be killed than a child who lives in the United States. And taxi driversprobably wont have enough change to cover a big bill, socarry small denominations. Weve made it pretty clear that Honduras isnt the safest country. San Pedro Sula, Honduras, has been given the unfortunate title of the most dangerous city in the world. ; Children and Adolescents - Honduras has the highest youth homicide rate in the world. The rate of young people killing other young people is down to twomain gangs:Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) andBarrio 18. If you see any outdated information in this guide, we would really appreciate it if you could reach out in the comments below. The government bans emergency contraception, known as the morningafter pill, which can prevent pregnancy after rape, unprotected sex, or contraceptive failure. Since 2020, the number of Hondurans in need of humanitarian assistance has more than doubled, while food insecurity has increased due to consecutive climate shocks, rising food prices and the economic impacts of COVID-19. In Honduras, one of the most violent countries in the world, 60 percent of deaths are attributed to organized crime. Sign in How Gangs Control Honduras VICE News 8.42M subscribers. February 18 2022 Receive free Honduras updates We'll send you a myFT Daily Digest email rounding up the latest Honduras news every morning. Dont open the door for anyone, unless youre expecting a visit. We are going to eradicate extortion in every corner of our country.. Share this via LinkedIn Investigating organized crime is an expensive and often risky enterprise. TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras -- Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency to fight gang crimes like extortion. This new donation is in addition to the 81,900 doses of Pfizer . We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. The first 2,000 inmates were transferred to El Salvador's new mega-prison for hardcore gangbangers. But if the peace in the condemning nations were to rupture the way it has in El Salvador and Honduras, we can bet they . Anyone else would do well with a trusted tour group. The storms, among other shocks, led to higher levels of food scarcity while weakening the states capacity to cope with displacement. The IACHR expressed concern in 2019 regarding the critical levels of impunity and inadequate and insufficient attention to victims of human rights violations. Here is available the most popular Honduras Newspapers list. You can definitely push your luck by staying in the wrong neighborhood as well. And Honduras has been struggling to build representative democracy, to fight corruption and crime. International Rescue Committee is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. FILE PHOTO: Police raid a house after Honduras' President Xiomara Castro (not pictured) mobilised . Public buildings, transportation, and information and communication services open to the public are not fully accessible to people with disabilities. However, if you decide to travel independently, youll face quite a few challenges. Patrick said the inmates were captured about 7:45 AM in downtown Newton. Again, thank you! With all the threats of violence, theres alow number of tourists, so oddly you can really have anauthentic experiencehere while getting to know Honduran women, too. The information present in this safety guide was accurate at the time of writing, however, the world is a changeable place, now more than ever. Poor health infrastructure and limited access to sanitation services has contributed to the spread of the virus. This includes 2,838,450 Pfizer doses and 3,250,140 Moderna doses. The inmates, all from Honduras, had reportedly escaped custody yesterday in Scott County. This Central American country actually has one of the highest murder rates in the world. Every 18 hours, a woman is a victim of a violent death. For Varela, who said she had never been a victim of extortion, but heard a lot about it as of late, human rights are just an obstacle. Although there is a law that provides higher penalties for bias-based crimes, including on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity, the Attorney Generals office told Human Rights Watch in September 2020 that no one has been convicted under the law. Not really. They practice war taxing, which is essentially just demanding money from people. Radio Globo directorDavid Romero, convicted of defamation in 2016, died in prison from Covid-19 in July. With all of its branches of government and its armed forces plagued by corruption, Honduras has evolved into a transit nation in which criminal groups, protected by the political system, have developed the capacity to produce cocaine hydrochloride in local laboratories. Disclaimer: Safety conditions change all over the world on a daily basis. Gang violence is a big issue in Honduras. Dont put yourself through that stress. It suspends some Constitutional rights and gives police more powers to arrest and hold suspects. You should ask locals on the best routes to take to any given place. Women, children and the LGBTQ+ community are the ones most affected and we have seen the demand for services skyrocket, while the organizations delivering aid need increased resources to be able to staff up to meet the urgent needs, says Meg Galas, director for northern Central America at the IRC. There is only anecdotal evidence of the scale of the problem because so few extortion victims report the crime, making a statistical analysis impossible. The data was compiled by Citizen Council for Public Security, Justice, and Peace, a Mexican. REUTERS/Fredy Rodriguez/File Photo. The Supreme Court had upheld Romeros 10-year sentencein January 2020. These are the safest islands: Once you get off the ferry in Utila you have officially entered an alternate reality. Gracias a Dios Department due to crime. On theCaribbean coast, there are plenty of delicious dishes to sample, with tortillasand things likerefried beansserved up with every meal. And theyre generally safe. In Honduras, steps were taken to demilitarize public security forces and a community policing model was announced, with the hope being that the measures would increase public trust in an institution that has historically been dogged by corruption and infiltrated by the very same organized crime groups it is supposed to combat. Theres no reason to get mixed up with a gang in Honduras. Theres a lot of fresh fish in places like, Steer clear of anything that you cant peel yourself. On Friday, Jorge Lanza the leader of the bus operators in Honduras, supported the move, saying bus drivers were tired of being threatened and killed for not paying protection money. There is an expat community inTrujillo. Hardline policies, meanwhile, are popular because people think that theyre going to work but inevitably the track record is that they havent, said Malone. The Supreme Court, particularly its president, exerts excessive control over the appointment and removal of judges, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights reported in 2019, and career instability limits judges independence. The flavors, spices and. The streets of major cities like Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula are gripped by crime and conflict. Read the entire Travel Advisory. A . The measure, part of leftist President Xiomara Castro's crackdown on gangs such as Mara Salvatrucha and Barrio 18, suspends some constitutional rights and allows security forces to detain people who they consider associated with or have committed crimes. FromLimonestoLa Union, fromGualacotoSan Esteban,and fromLa EsperanzatoGraciasThese routes can bedangerous. So, yeah. Wed,03/01/23-8:24AM, 1,088 Reads 16,082 Statewide. Dont eat at tourist traps. Honduran women face daily struggles. His unit was headed to the Hole a labyrinthine neighbourhood of narrow streets, whose nickname was originally coined because of its location between sharp hillsides, but which has taken on a new meaning as a place where gang members disappear. Honduras may sound scary, but if you take into account the advice of locals, plan ahead, and use your common sense,Honduras will open up to you as a solo female traveler. Members of the military police of public order get ready during a special operation in Tegucigalpa on 6 December. Bukeles example resonates in societies with a fragile institutional framework and with a tendency towards populism and authoritarianism, said Ismael Moreno, a human rights defender. Visiting Honduras right now is as safe as it ever was:not very. In October, the Civic Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras (COPINH), of which Cceres was president, complained of continued delays and a lack of transparency in the case. The inauguration of Xiomara Castro, elected Hondurass first female president, is scheduled for January 27 with U.S. vice president Kamala Harris, King Felipe VI of Spain and other world leaders slated to attend. Already vulnerable people in Honduras live in an evolving humanitarian crisis, says IRC protection coordinator Zuleyma Chahin. Utila is unlike the rest of mainland Honduras in just about every way. Naturally, youre going to be wondering, Is Honduras safe? That is why we have created this insiders guide looking at the safety of travelers in Honduras. Then there are quite a lot of gang wars as well. We do our best to advise but this info may already be out of date. Honduras is one of the most important drug trafficking operation centers between South America and Mexico. In March 2020, the government declared a state of emergency in response to the pandemic, imposing a lockdown and restricting movement and freedom of expression. The likelihood of you getting caught up in all that relies very much on you being somehow related to one of the gangs. You basically pay for safety, but better safe than sorry wed say. Also in February, the OAS special rapporteur on freedom of expression called on Honduras to decriminalize defamation and to properly investigate killings of journalists. Honduras isnt exactly what wed callsafe. Here's a list of 14: 1. A collection of moments during and after Barack Obama's presidency. Chances are, if you are arriving via a cruise ship, you will be safe. TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) One day after six Honduran environmental activists were convicted for alleged actions against a mining operation, the Supreme Court's Constitutional Chamber unanimously sided with the defendants on two long-standing appeals and threw out their case late Thursday. Please donate. Share this via Email Some victims of extortion said that the only thing that has changed is how the money is collected. Certain routes that these take have been the target ofarmed attacks. A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic booooring. The police chief in Honduras reported 356 fewer homicides between Dec. 6, 2022 and Feb 20, 2023, compared to the period Dec. 6, 2021 to Feb. 20, 2022. San Pedro Sula is the most dangerous city, not just in Honduras, but in the whole world. We are going to be covering a whole lot of topics in this epic Honduras safety guide. We are on the frontlines providing critical aid to crisis-affected people in more than 40 countries, including places on the 2022 Emergency Watchlist. By MARLON GONZLEZ November 25, 2022. October 4, 2021 The U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa, Honduras is pleased to announce a donation from the government of the United States of 250,000 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to the people of Honduras. The U.S. government estimates that approximately 4% of all cocaine shipments from South America passed through Honduras by air or sea in 2019 of cocaine, equivalent to a U.S. street value of over $11.5 billion at current rates. Testimony provided by drug traffickers and Honduran politicians on trial in the United States have revealed the deep-seated connection between organized crime and the governing National Party. Journalists, environmental activists, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT). Between 2005 and 2019, 34 percent of women who were 20-24 years old had married when they were 15-19, the UN Population Fund reported in 2020. TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras -- Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency to fight gang crimes like extortion. San Pedro Sula (Spanish pronunciation: [sam pedo sula]) is the capital of Corts Department, Honduras.It is located in the northwest corner of the country in the Sula Valley, about 50 kilometers (31 miles) south of Puerto Corts on the Caribbean Sea.With a population of 671,460 in the central urban area (2020 calculation) and a population of 1,445,598 in its metropolitan area in 2020 . A study published in April reported that nearly half of teachers in rural areas had not been able to contact the majority of their students. Youll need to be a confident traveler. So keep that in mind and have a read of our safety tips for solo female travelers thinking of taking a trip to Honduras. The state of emergency, in place We also provide critical, up-to-date information and support from trained moderators through CuntaNos, a digital platform that is part of the Global Signpost project. Those who work in the transportation sector (taxi and bus drivers) are notable targets of gangs, but many are unable to flee for fear of retaliatory violence against themselves and their . Classes were broadcast on television, radio, and online, in some cases with assignments sent via Whatsapp. Women, children and the LGBTQ+ community are the ones most affected and we have seen the demand for services skyrocket It is essential to address the root causes of forced migration, a strategy that the current U.S. administration is adopting. So youll likely escape having to pay war tax (or facing the consequences). Patrick said the inmates were captured about 7:45 AM in downtown Newton. The government neither comprehensively protects the rights of children, including adolescents, nor ensures that they have access to basic services such as education and healthcare, the IACHR reported in 2019. This perception has grown despite a slight reduction in homicides this year, according to preliminary data, and a significant drop over the past decade since Honduras held the ignominious title of the worlds most violent country. Of 25,000 gang members in 2012, nearly a fifth were children, UNICEF estimated. Investigations were underway at time of writing. And if youre visiting as part of a tour, then youre likely to stay safe. It can be a super enriching experience. Xiomara Castros crackdown on gangs is also an attempt to counter allegations the government hasnt done enough to combat crime. This social democratic government is declaring war on extorsion, just as it has, since the first day, declared wars on corruption, impunity and drug trafficking," Castro said. How to tackle it is another issue. Weve covered the main safety concerns already, but there are a few more things to know. It is honestly NOT safe to drink the water in Honduras. The media and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) reported several cases of abusive police enforcement of the Covid-19 lockdown. Namely, being robbed. Its just better to have a local driver drive you around. 18th Street, also known as Calle 18, Barrio 18, Mara 18, or simply La 18 in Central America, is a multi-ethnic (largely Central American and Mexican) transnational criminal organization that started as a street gang in Los Angeles.It is one of the largest transnational criminal gangs in Los Angeles, with 65,000 members between the United States, Mexico, and Central America and is also allied . The government of Honduras is committed to attracting more tourists. While Honduras is not seeing the political armed conflict common in most Watchlist countries this year, criminal gang violence is widespread. Tegucigalpa. Honestly? We go into the field to interview, report and investigate. There are many daily newspapers in Honduras where that constantly provide the latest updated news and information. Here, you will find safety knowledge and advice for travelling Honduras. Juan Aguilar, 41, and his wife, Margaret Wilson, 39, both of San Leandro, face charges of kidnapping to commit a sex crime, human trafficking of a minor, forcible rape, and forcible oral copulation. Corruption, crime, and gang activity inhibits the ability to conduct business activities freely and dissuades entrepreneurs from establishing new businesses. Rights activists say young men are frequently arrested just based on their age, appearance or whether they live in a gang-dominated slum. Women - Honduras has the fifth-highest rate of violence against women in the world. Juan Orlando Hernndez extolled his achievements as. Impunity for human rights abuses, violent crime, and corruption remains the norm, even as the prison population has mushroomed. In April, the office expressed concern regarding accusations of excesive use of force by state security agents enforcing the governments Covid-19 restrictions. Stay informed daily on the latest news and advice on COVID-19 from the editors at U.S. News & World Report. Were not going to lie its pretty sketchy. In these demonstrations, more than 1,500 were arrested and30 people were killed. The Honduran government on Saturday extended a state of emergency declaration for 45 days, expanding it to additional areas of the country in an effort to fight criminal gangs amid high levels of violence. In December 2018, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights found Honduras responsible for failing to investigate Hernndezs death. At nighttime, you should really get a taxi. However, whilst its quite dangerous, the government is promoting tourism in Honduras. Despite recent educational advances, around a third of children aged 3-17 did not attend school in 2018, according to the most recent survey by the National Statistics Institute. Its better for the environment and ends up being more economical in the long run. Honduras has the misfortune of being situated between South American cocaine production and U.S. drug consumption. So when it comes to safetyin Honduras, we think youllgenerallybe fine, especially in the Bay Islands. For years, street gangs have charged protection money from bus and taxi drivers and store owners in Honduras, as in neighboring El Salvador. He estimated the companies and drivers have paid an average of about $10 million per month to the gangs in order to operate. So far, the state of exception in Honduras has produced some arrests and forced the gangs and other criminal groups to keep a lower profile. Its a wild world out there. Crisis in Honduras: Ongoing violence and climate shocks Here are three reasons the International Rescue Committee's Emergency Watchlist ranks Honduras among 20 countries most at risk of worsening humanitarian crisis in 2022.