Crisis in Honduras: Ongoing violence and climate shocks Extortions generate annual profits of up to $737 million for gangs, nearly 3% of the country's gross domestic product, according to data from Association for a More Just Society, a security-focused non-governmental organization. 20 Top Safety Tips for Traveling to Honduras. Get fresh updates on organized crime from across the region delivered to your inbox. Honduras is one of the most important drug trafficking operation centers between South America and Mexico. So backpacking Honduras isnt always just a breeze. Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency to fight gang crimes like extortion. Seeing the world without anyone to answer to, getting to challenge yourself andgrow as a person. And theyre generally safe. Not really. Sign up for our newsletter and get the best travel tips delivered right to your inbox. Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency against gang crimes like extortion. This coastal city is more welcoming togringos than other places and features beaches fringed bycoral reefsand theres a lot of new development happening here. If we didnt have Bukeles example, we could probably look for some control and security responses based on strengthening institutions.. crime Mayor and Retired Honduras National Police Sub-Commissioner Arrested for Organized Crime Involvement By Hector Martinez on February 24, 2016 crime, extortion, gangs, mara, MaraSalvatrucha, ms13, MS18, murder, narcotics, OrganizedCrime, salvatrucha General Honduras News, Headline News Simple as that. The Newton Police Department has arrested three escaped inmates from Scott County, according to Newton police chief, Randy Patrick. 6 gang members killed in Honduras prison | Breaking News App by Shore In Honduras, the types of danger include, but are not limited to, violent gang activity, trafficking, rape, street crime and armed robbery. But like any war, it isnt just a battle against an enemy, but also for control of the popular narrative in this case, an attempt to counter allegations that the government has not done enough to combat rampant crime. The crime rates are improving and the government is putting a lot of effort into attracting more tourists. I wouldnt dare to say that [extortion] has skyrocketed because it has been so high for many years, said Leticia Salomn, a sociologist and researcher with the Documentation Center of Honduras. FILE PHOTO: Police raid a house after Honduras' President Xiomara Castro (not pictured) mobilised . Escaped inmates from Scott County captured in Newton The state of emergency, in place You can also visit the island through a guided tour, which will add another layer of safety to your trip. Honduras | Today's latest from Al Jazeera But its pretty damn special too. The vaccine doses arrived in the Honduran capital on October 4 2021. People live here with children, by themselves, as couples, some retire here, and some people have even started up their own hostelsor otherbusinesses. There is no such thing as a perfect safety guide, and this article is no different. I believe that [Bukeles] leadership is increasing, because the tendency of the Bukele government is to become Central American, and to exercise leadership in all of Central America, said Moreno. Honduras has been through a lot in recent years. There are many daily newspapers in Honduras where that constantly provide the latest updated news and information. Reaching primary sources and getting the real story involve extensive fieldwork. A ferry also runs betweenTrujilloandGuanaja. 14 Problems Hondurans Face Today - Forbes From 2011 to 2017, the number of killings in Honduras actually dropped, from 87 per 100,000 to 44. These are pretty safe. 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. Our work is costly and high risk. We are on the frontlines providing critical aid to crisis-affected people in more than 40 countries, including places on the 2022 Emergency Watchlist. Members include officers from the police, the military, and the Attorneys General Office. The Inescapable Prison of Barrio 18 in Honduras, Death, Taxes, and Extortion: Why Latin American Companies Keep Paying Up, Timber Mafias - Preying on Latin Americas Forests, State and Community Responses to Extortion, A Mayor and a Wave of Narco Violence on Guatemala's Pacific, One Party, Many Crimes: The Case of Honduras National Party, Drug Trafficking and Political Protection in Paraguay: The Case of Cucho Cabaa, How Colombia Regulators Became Purveyors of Illegal Wood, The Logging Barons of Catacamas, Honduras, How Drug Cartels Moved into Illegal Logging in Mexico, Municipalities Fight Back in Guatemalas Gang-Preyed Upon Neighborhoods, How the Private Sector Helped Counter Rural Extortion in El Salvador. But if you meet the local ladies andlearn about their livesyoure going to have a VERY enriching experience on your hands. Honduras, in general, is open and welcoming to children. 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. - The New York Times Inside Gang Territory In Honduras 'Either They Kill Us or We Kill Them' In one of the deadliest cities in the world, an embattled group of young men had little but their tiny. For years, street gangs have charged protection money from bus and taxi drivers and store owners in Honduras, as in neighboring El Salvador. For your trip to Honduras, our handy guide has you covered. It has experienced one of the world's highest homicide rates, with multiple forms of violence linked to drug trafficking groups. According to Hugo Maldonado, president of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights in Honduras, this year has seen 116 femicides and 23 group murders, along with more than 1,356 violent. We hope these measures work and remain in place.. At least 86 journalists were killed from 2001 through July 2020, the Honduran College of Journalists reported, and 92 percent of those killings remain unpunished. We get it. Security forces committed abuses while enforcing a nationwide Covid-19 lockdown that President Juan Orlando Hernndez imposed in March. In El Salvador, a Thin Line Between Community Policing and Vigilantism. The violence is carried out by local drug trafficking groups, gangs, corrupt security forces and transnational criminal organizations mainly from Mexico and Colombia. We provide cash to help people meet basic needs. Theyre old U.S. school buses that are poorly maintained,andovercrowded. 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. These drug trafficking gangs rule peoples lives. Belize's U-19 Women's National Team travels to Honduras on Friday to Here, you will find safety knowledge and advice for travelling Honduras. Well Public transportation can be alittle trickyin Honduras, and its not always safe. 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 . With Honduras' Narco Allegations, Pressure Rises To - WXXI News The Supreme Court had upheld Romeros 10-year sentencein January 2020. At nighttime, you should really get a taxi. Independent travel is going to require A LOT of being careful. Of course, while it's not ever good to generalize an. Honduras: Freedom in the World 2022 Country Report | Freedom House In 2018, the last year for which statistics are available, 60 percent of perpetrators were domestic partners. Transgender woman activist killed in Honduras Namely, being robbed. Youll need to be a confident traveler. Violent organized crime continues to disrupt Honduran society and push many people to leave the country. Honduras isnt perfectly safe for tourists, but that doesnt mean that you can travel there or have a good time. Honduras Profile - InSight Crime A local TV correspondent needed to do a live shot for one of the countrys most-watched news programs. Gang violence is a big issue in Honduras. The IRC is calling for stronger international cooperation to address the humanitarian crisis that displaces hundreds of thousands from Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala every year. Travel smart and make sure your safety and security is your number one priority. It was Zelaya's intention to seek a second term that coup leaders. The government of Honduras is committed to attracting more tourists. Get your accommodation to either recommenda good company or just book one for you. The violence is carried out by local drug trafficking groups, gangs, corrupt security forces and transnational criminal organizations mainly from Mexico and Colombia. Donate now to support the IRC's life-changing work in Honduras, across northern Central America, and worldwide. If you see any outdated information in this guide, we would really appreciate it if you could reach out in the comments below. And taxi driversprobably wont have enough change to cover a big bill, socarry small denominations. 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. 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. Inside Gang Territory in Honduras: 'Either They Kill Us or We Kill Them People here live in pretty supreme poverty 60%of the population living in poverty really isa lot of people. Dont hitchhike ortake lifts from strangers , Other ways to meet fellow travelers and. Well be answering super important questions including How safe is Honduras right now? and Is it safe to live in Honduras? We also give loads of tips for solo travelers and families. Theres a huge problem with single-use plastics in the Earths water and you dont have any assurance whatsoever that your bottles will be properly disposed of, even if youre careful to sort them in the proper bin. Visiting Honduras right now is as safe as it ever was:not very. Marred by corruption and abuse, the judiciary and police remain largely ineffective. 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. Download Historical Data. REUTERS/Fredy Rodriguez/File PhotoReuters. San Pedro Sula, Honduras, has been given the unfortunate title of the most dangerous city in the world. Your laptop deserves a proper pack, and we know a good few! Honduras declared the state of exception for 30 days in 162 neighborhoods, some politicians have already called for it to be extended in duration and territory. Seth Sidney Berry / SOPA Images/Sipa USA (Sipa via AP Images), Share this via Facebook Honduras News - Daily News About Honduras This rule especially goes at night. Over60% of the populationlive below the poverty line. Late Thursday, Nov. 24, Castro proposed a measure to limit constitutional rights so as to round up gang members. But the removal of military officers from an anti-gang taskforce resulted in a messy divorce that temporarily reduced the units already limited capacity opening a window for criminals and before the community policing model could have any effect, the political pressure to take decisive action against extortion boiled over. Police reforms are most successful when theyre coupled with investments in social services and cross-cutting investments to address some of the root causes like poverty and exclusion that can cause crime in the first place, said Mary Malone, a professor at the University of New Hampshire who has studied policing in Central America. HOUSTON Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Houston, with assistance from ERO Tegucigalpa and the Security Alliance for Fugitive Enforcement (SAFE) Task Force, removed Rufino Garza Monroy, a twice-deported foreign fugitive from the United States on Feb. 24. Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Honduras Private Sector and Anti-Extortion Police: An Unholy Alliance? Chatting to them means getting first-hand knowledge, and means your experience is going to be a lot richer. 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. That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we dont believe are up to scratch. Honduras has the misfortune of being situated between South American cocaine production and U.S. drug consumption. For now, there are 15,000 taxis who want your attention. 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. Violence has long ruled here. However, whilst its quite dangerous, the government is promoting tourism in Honduras. Allegations that senior politicians had been benefiting financially from the drug trade contributed to the unrest. 2023, The Broke Backpacker. By 2020 they want an additional milliontourists annually. 2 Norfolk men allegedly killed, planned to eat American Bald Eagle On theCaribbean coast, there are plenty of delicious dishes to sample, with tortillasand things likerefried beansserved up with every meal. Its better for the environment and ends up being more economical in the long run. generally, if youre visiting with a guided tour, you should be fine. The effort comes amid complaints by business owners, the transportation sector and ordinary Hondurans that extortion by criminals has risen in recent months. There are alsopassenger ferriesif you want to go totheBay Islands. The first 2,000 inmates were transferred to El Salvador's new mega-prison for hardcore gangbangers. Xiomara should hurry up and go after all those gang members, said Isidora Varela, 70, at her market stand in downtown Tegucigalpa. We then verify, write and edit, providing the tools to generate real impact. 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. Its not a good idea to go out to bars and clubs by yourself. 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. These are the safest islands: Once you get off the ferry in Utila you have officially entered an alternate reality. A . 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. Copyright International Rescue Committee, 2023. crises in 2022 in Latin America and the Caribbean, top 10 crises the world cant ignore in 2022, calling for stronger international cooperation, 2.8 million people in need of humanitarian aid, 36% of funding received for 2021 Humanitarian Response Plan, 937,000 disaster-induced displacements in 2020, 3.3 million people facing crisis or worse levels of food insecurity in 2022. Police were allegedly in the area when private security forces opened fired against several families but did not help the victims, witnesses told the press. Otherwise, thanks for your ear and stay safe! Most who can access the internet do so on their phones. If a restaurant or eatery of any sort looks busy, thats probably because its good, both in terms of taste and. The Newton Police Department has arrested three escaped inmates from Scott County, according to Newton police chief, Randy Patrick. Poverty, violence, and insecurity are the main reasons for the high crime rate. Political power brokers also have ties to drug smuggling and have even run trafficking operations themselves. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. This is when things can get sketchy. While there were a few violent crime incidents, most travelers have a safe and pleasant stay. Share this via LinkedIn We dont want to recommend traveling to the rest of Honduras with your family. In Honduras, one of the most violent countries in the world, 60 percent of deaths are attributed to organized crime. After a 2019 wave of gang violence that killed 37 detainees, President Hernndez declared a state of emergency and put prisons under military control. There is limited data on the effectiveness of the program in Honduras. Its just better to have a local driver drive you around. Note that they are generally safe to visit during the day (with a bit of caution obviously), especially if you have a local guide, but should be fully avoided at night. Many women are choosing to flee the violence in their communities. The rate of young people killing other young people is down to twomain gangs:Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) andBarrio 18. The food in Honduras is super tasty. But you wont be (in a Honduran gang, that is). According to the U.N., Honduras has the highest femicide rate in the world. But if youre thinking about it, here are some tips. Couple that with 470 miles of (mainly) Caribbean coastline, a load of beaches and tropical islands, as well asMayan ruinsand you got yourself adream destination. Traveling here is definitely adventurous, but that doesnt mean its off-limits for solo travelers. And that is pretty cool. 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. Just 18 percent of Hondurans have internet access in their homes and a quarter of homes in rural areas dont have electricity. Not all U.S. presidents are missed once they leave the White House. Drug trafficking gangs, corruption, and extreme poverty keep Honduras down. ; Children and Adolescents - Honduras has the highest youth homicide rate in the world. Individuals and state agents continute to threaten and attack journalists, press freedom groups report. Honduras is one of the Western Hemisphere's deadliest countries for journalists, with security forces representing their biggest threat, Reporters Without Borders noted in 2021. 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. Two private security officers were charged. Women, children, the LGBTQ+ community, and returnees face ever growing conflict and risks, from the effects of climate change to the impacts of COVID-19 and violenceat home and on the streets.. ACNUR acoge con satisfaccin la aprobacin de la ley sobre desplazamiento interno en Honduras Format News and Press Release Source. Were not going to lie its pretty sketchy. After irregularities and delays, the trial of David Castillo, one of the men accused of planning the 2016 killing of environmental activist Berta Cceres, began in September 2020. Category 5 hurricanes Eta and Iota hit Honduras in November 2020 and have had enduring impacts on farmersand the public generallyby destroying subsistence farms, killing livestock by the hundreds of thousands and reducing agricultural production. Not only that, but thecorruptionin everything the low to the high levels of the politics here is standard. Youll most likely get watered-down versions of Honduran food and Western stuff. Theres a lot of fresh fish in places like, Steer clear of anything that you cant peel yourself. And were not going to lie,Honduras doesnt exactly lend itself to solo travel. Some are deprived of full legal capacity and are institutionalized in different settings, including psychiatric hospitals. When the time came, the police departed in caravans to gang-infested neighbourhoods throughout the capital city, as part of an effort to combat an apparent rise in extortion. document.getElementById("ak_js_2").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Former president of Honduras makes initial appearance in US - CNN Theres more nature here than you can shake a stick at. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time can seriously get you in trouble. A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic booooring. If youdo get one in the street, ensure that you tell the taxi driver that you dont want to share the taxi. Security Minister Oscar Alvarez says police have identified two suspects among the five attackers . Planning a safe trip to Honduras can get quite overwhelming. 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. The law also sanctions abortion providers. In terms of murder rate, it's the second most violent country in Central or South America, trailing only Venezuela. An audit of government purchases of medical supplies to fight Covid-19 revealed supplies worth tens of millions of dollars had gone missing. Share this via WhatsApp They offer simple & flexible travel insurance, and safety advice to help you travel confidently. Taxis areall over the placein Honduras. UNHCR; Posted 22 Dec 2022 Originally published 22 . Some victims of extortion said that the only thing that has changed is how the money is collected. And watch out for bad road conditions after heavy rain. Corruption, fear of retribution, and limited access to essential health services . 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. Abuses by security forces, including alleged collusion with criminal organizations, and weak state institutions, have contributed to the persistence of gang violence. Honduran people are friendly and welcoming. In fact, most people in Honduras have a family member in a gang. led to the detention of more than 2% of its adult population. Dont drink the water without treating, and steer clear of ice cubes,too. Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2020 was 36.33, a 13.52% decline from 2019. And Honduras has been struggling to build representative democracy, to fight corruption and crime. While Honduras is not seeing the political armed conflict common in most Watchlist countries this year, criminal gang violence is widespread. Part 1: Cycles of violence in Honduras - Doctors Without Borders Gang violence and organized crime are leading causes of displacement from Honduras. Between December 2019, when prisons were placed under military control, and September 2020, 54 people died in eight prison incidents, the IACHR and OHCHR report. 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. Safety and security - Honduras travel advice - GOV.UK There are high levels of crime in Honduras. Prisons saw significant Covid-19 outbreaks. Honduras partially suspends constitutional rights to tackle gangs, Its a war on the people: El Salvadors mass arrests send thousands into despair, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. Officials were called out to the main Wood Duck Recreation Area at around 4 p.m. on Tuesday to investigate a suspicious vehicle, a ccording to a release from the Sheriff's Office. Will Honduras Win The Fight Against Corruption? - Forbes Reconsider travel to Honduras due to crime. 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. That measure has proved popular among the public in El Salvador, and has resulted in the arrest of more than 56,000 people for alleged gang ties.
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