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. 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. There are private coach servicesthat connect cities and towns that are usually moremaintained and more comfortable than the chicken buses. Read more about the top 10 crises the world cant ignore in 2022, learn how the IRC selected these countries, and download the full 2022 Emergency Watchlist report for data citations and profiles of all 20 crisis countries on the IRC's list. Do your own research. Theres no reason to get mixed up with a gang in Honduras. Roatan is the largest of the Honduras Bay Islands. Honduras isnt perfectly safe for tourists, but that doesnt mean that you can travel there or have a good time. Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency against gang crimes like extortion. Click here to read the full story: 6 gang members killed in Honduras prison. 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. Since the end of the last decade, political protection has allowed the traditional drug trafficking groups to flourish. Dont open the door for anyone, unless youre expecting a visit. Clearly, with the pandemic, that goal wasnt reached, but its not been forgotten either. But Honduras is far from Eden. Enjoy your travels! We are on the frontlines providing critical aid to crisis-affected people in more than 40 countries, including places on the 2022 Emergency Watchlist. Most dangerous city: San Pedro Sula, Honduras - Boston.com Honduras: Freedom in the World 2022 Country Report | Freedom House Donate now to support the IRC's life-changing work in Honduras, across northern Central America, and worldwide. Its a mix of European, indigenous and Caribbean influence, and youll love it. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Locals drive atcrazy speeds on the highways, there are random toll roads that make the cost high (but if you dont take them, alternative routes are often not paved), and there are animals on the road. To reduce overcrowding in response to the pandemic, the legislature approved alternatives to pretrial detention in June and judges released more than 1,600 people. crime | Honduras News 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). Here are three reasons the International Rescue Committees Emergency Watchlist ranks Honduras among 20 countries most at risk of worsening humanitarian crisis in 2022. A . While Honduras is not seeing the political armed conflict common in most Watchlist countries this year, criminal gang violence is widespread. They offer simple & flexible travel insurance, and safety advice to help you travel confidently. For years, street gangs have charged protection money from bus and taxi drivers and store owners in Honduras, as in neighboring El Salvador. However, if you decide to travel independently, youll face quite a few challenges. Violent crime is at its peak in Honduras. We dont want to recommend traveling to the rest of Honduras with your family. This has a pretty good expat community too. For years, street gangs have charged protection money from bus and taxi drivers and store owners in Honduras, as in neighboring El Salvador. Honduras News - Daily News About Honduras 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 . There are an estimated 115,000 gang members. Honduras is one of the murder capitals of the world. One example:tajadas(fried plantains, topped with cabbage and served with ground beef). He estimated the companies and drivers have paid an average of about $10 million per month to the gangs in order to operate. Expat retirees, yachties, families with kids, and cruise ship tourists make up a large majority of the demographic found on Roatan at any given time. Former president of Honduras makes initial appearance in US - CNN Violence against LGBT individuals forces many to leave their homes, fleeing internally or leaving the country to seek asylum. The media and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) reported several cases of abusive police enforcement of the Covid-19 lockdown. It wont be down to the wire cutting edge info on the most current events, but it is layered in the expertise of veteran travellers. (Reporting by Orfa Mejia in Tegucigalpa; Writing by Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Leslie Adler). 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. This isnt one for first-time backpackers. February 18 2022 Receive free Honduras updates We'll send you a myFT Daily Digest email rounding up the latest Honduras news every morning. Share this via Twitter For years, street gangs have charged protection money from bus and taxi drivers and store owners in Honduras, as in neighboring El Salvador. Locals have to pay war taxes which keeps the poverty rate high as well. 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. We then verify, write and edit, providing the tools to generate real impact. La Ceibaon the northern coast, with mountains, jungles, and beaches, is a chilled and adventurous area to explore. In April, Public Order Military Police (PMOP) officers severely beat three brothers and shot two of themone fatallyfor allegedly violating a curfew in El Paraso in order to sell bread. Were not going to say its thesafest place to travel,nor is it going to be the easiestplace to travel as a solo female. Radio taxisare always a better option than hailing one off the street. Almost 110,000 Hondurans were returned in 2019, mostly from Mexico. More information. Members of the military police of public order get ready during a special operation in Tegucigalpa on 6 December. The inmates, all from Honduras, had reportedly escaped custody yesterday in . Its a massive issue. While there were a few violent crime incidents, most travelers have a safe and pleasant stay. Sign up for our newsletter and get the best travel tips delivered right to your inbox. 1 Million Migrants Fled Honduras for the U.S. Under Juan - Newsweek Police raid a house in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, on 8 December. A local TV correspondent needed to do a live shot for one of the countrys most-watched news programs. In July, police arrested two men in connection to the 2020 killings of 45 TV reporter Germn Vallecillo Jr. and his cameraman, Jorge Posas, in La Ceiba. That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we dont believe are up to scratch. There are some safety pointsthat travelers should know for anywhere they travel, but Honduras requires these special considerations. We wouldnt recommend members of the LGBTQ+ community to visit Honduras unless theyre prepared to keep any sort of affection behind closed doors. Thats why weve listed and answered the most frequently asked questions on safety in Honduras. Honduras is exposed to other climate shocks as well. Honduras, long one of the poorest countries in Latin America, is now also among the most violent and crime-ridden. 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. The story 6 gang members killed in Honduras prison was published by the Associated Press on 2022-07-04 18:29:24. Get fresh updates on organized crime from across the region delivered to your inbox. 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. The inmates, all from Honduras, had reportedly escaped custody yesterday in Scott County. SafetyWing is convenient, cheap, and trouble-free Insurance was never this easy! Honduras is one of the poorest countries in the Western hemisphere. Honduras Newspaper : List of All Honduras Newspapers | Honduras News Patrick said the inmates were captured about 7:45 AM in downtown Newton. Gangs exercise territorial control over neighborhoods and extort residents throughout the country. Visiting Honduras right now is as safe as it ever was:not very. 14 Problems Hondurans Face Today - Forbes 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. Late Thursday, Honduran President Xiomara Castro proposed a measure to limit constitutional Historically, governments have responded with iron-fist security strategies to combat organized crime, enacting tougher legislation and increasing police presence and mass detentions. FILE - Honduras' President Xiomara Castro addresses the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York, Sept. 20, 2022. Estimates of the number of active gang members range from 5,000 to 40,000. You dont know how clean the persons hands are whos been peeling and chopping the, Dont go TOO in on the food when you first arrive, especially if you get ill from food quite easily. Poverty, violence, and insecurity are the main reasons for the high crime rate. 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. Not only that, but thecorruptionin everything the low to the high levels of the politics here is standard. From 2011 to 2017, the number of killings in Honduras actually dropped, from 87 per 100,000 to 44. President Xiomara Castro, center, with the minister of defense, Jose Manuel Zelaya, and the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, Jos Jorge Fortn, at a military ceremony in Tegucigalpa on 9 December. TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency to fight gang crimes like extortion. That being said, its still one of the murder capitals in the world, so if youre an inexperienced travellers, you wont be safe. Honduras isnt a gay-friendly country, however, there are some movements that are going in the right direction. They practice "war taxing", which is essentially just demanding money from people. Newton County Sheriff's Office was involved with . The storms, among other shocks, led to higher levels of food scarcity while weakening the states capacity to cope with displacement. But the thing iswomen DO travel alone to Honduras. Disclaimer: Safety conditions change all over the world on a daily basis. In terms of murder rate, it's the second most violent country in Central or South America, trailing only Venezuela. Share this via Email Tegucigalpa. Its prettyextreme. The US is losing allies in Latin America just as production of cocaine, fentanyl, and other synthetic drugs is going through the roof. After a 2019 wave of gang violence that killed 37 detainees, President Hernndez declared a state of emergency and put prisons under military control. Get your accommodation to either recommenda good company or just book one for you. Independent travel is going to require A LOT of being careful. The government has set up roadblocks, deployed security forces, and used violence to prevent people from leaving the country. Judges continue to face interference, including political pressure, threats, and harassment, from the executive branch, private actors with connections to government, and organized crime. Honduras has freed dozens of individuals tied to organized crime a year after reforming its money laundering law. San Pedro Sula, Honduras, has been given the unfortunate title of the most dangerous city in the world. FILE PHOTO: A member of Honduras' DIPAMPCO (Police Anti Maras and Gangs Against Organised Crime Directorate) stands guard as other DIPAMPCO members frisk people while doing rounds in a low-income neighbourhood, after President Xiomara Castro declared a national security emergency implementing a new plan to combat a rising number of cases of extortion by violent criminal groups operating across the country, in Tegucigalpa, Honduras November 26, 2022. In fact, most people in Honduras have a family member in a gang. These are pretty safe. Gangs kill, disappear, rape, or displace those who resist. 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. Dont eat at tourist traps. The coastline of Cedeno, a fishing village in southern Honduras, looks like it was hit by an earthquake - houses, businesses and clubs stand in ruins. There is only anecdotal evidence of the scale of the problem because so few extortion victims report the crime, making a statistical analysis impossible. Whether thats with friends and family back home, or with accommodation staff, or both. 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. Prolonged droughts have undermined food production, while in October 2021 a wildfire in the Guanaja region affected thousands. Chances are it wasnt cooked with too much care. . Along with Honduras, the IRC also identified Haiti and Venezuela as the countries most at risk of experiencing deteriorating humanitarian crises in 2022 in Latin America and the Caribbean. Honduran soldiers wearing facemasks guard the entrance to the city of San Pedro Sula during the coronavirus crisis on April 17, 2020. If youre not on a highwayyoull probably need a 44. Youll need to be a confident traveler. 'Men can do anything they want to women in Honduras': Inside - ABC News San Pedro Sula is the most dangerous city, not just in Honduras, but in the whole world. There are many daily newspapers in Honduras where that constantly provide the latest updated news and information. Every year, more than 100,000 Hondurans are internally displaced, migrate, seek protection abroad, or are deported back to Honduras. These. They are taxed by gangs. We can't put up any longer with workers being killed and paying extortion, Lanza said. For now, there are 15,000 taxis who want your attention. Feb. 21, 2023, at 6:11 p.m. Honduras Extends, Expands State of Emergency for Second Time. We are going to be covering a whole lot of topics in this epic Honduras safety guide. 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. Take theBay Islands,for example. International Rescue Committee is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. UNHCR; Posted 22 Dec 2022 Originally published 22 . The 'spiralling crisis' pushing Hondurans to flee north Inside Gang Territory in Honduras: 'Either They Kill Us or We Kill Them There is no such thing as a perfect safety guide, and this article is no different. This new donation is in addition to the 81,900 doses of Pfizer . Keeping yourself away from any situation to do with them will be a good way to keep yourself pretty much safe. https://t.co/xQGbbyZXXv. There are alsopassenger ferriesif you want to go totheBay Islands. Honduras Reports 'Historic' Coca Seizure | Breaking News App by Shore Youll also have to take care that your children dont stay in the sun fortoo long. Other ways to share 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. Latest News Profile Criminal Actors Investigations News Latest News 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.. Honduras declared a state of exception as extortion cases rise, suspending constitutional rights in cities and deploying thousands of troops. 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. The crime rates are improving and the government is putting a lot of effort into attracting more tourists. Theyre run by private companies, obviously, and aremore expensivethan public buses. The poverty resulting from all this is what youll have to watch out for. Lots of travelers stick to bottled water,but please dont. The UNspecialrapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders called Honduras one of the most dangerous countries for human rights defenders in Latin America. Violence in Honduras | Association for a More Just Society 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. Simple as that. The measure must still be approved by Congress. Radio Globo directorDavid Romero, convicted of defamation in 2016, died in prison from Covid-19 in July. Planning a safe trip to Honduras can get quite overwhelming. Indeed, Honduras is seeing a plague of femicidesa woman is murdered every 36 hours, mostly by an intimate partner. As world leaders met for the United Nations General Assembly, Latin American presidents expressed various concerns about organized crime. Some areas are also safer than others. 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. 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. San Pedro Sula - Wikipedia Heres what you need to know about the growing crisis in Honduras. Theres a lot to learn about Honduras that goes beyond gangs and beaches. As of August 2020, more than 21,000 people were detained in prisons with capacity for just under 11,000. 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. That said, the governmentclaimsthere has been a 52%decreasein violent crime over the past five years. To Desafio, the Barrio 18 gang in Honduras was everything. Dont drink the water without treating, and steer clear of ice cubes,too. Homicides in Honduras | Association for a More Just Society The state of emergency, in place since Dec. 6 in 165 areas of Honduras' largest two cities, Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, has been expanded to 235 of the country's 298 municipalities, the national police said. Shootings are very common in poorer areas too. World Nomads mission is to support and encourage travellers to explore their boundaries. We are going to eradicate extortion in every corner of our country.. document.getElementById("ak_js_2").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This website uses cookies to improve your experience. The effort comes amid complaints by business owners, the transportation sector and ordinary Hondurans that extortion by criminals has risen in recent months. Otherwise, thanks for your ear and stay safe! The likelihood of you getting caught up in all that relies very much on you being somehow related to one of the gangs. Of course, while it's not ever good to generalize an. Sexual violence and oppression are frequent tragedies here. 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 Download Historical Data. There are quite a few cute Airbnbs in Honduras, and as long as you stay in one of the safer neighborhoods, wed say that renting an Airbnb is perfectly safe. And if youre visiting as part of a tour, then youre likely to stay safe. Chronic violence, climate crisis and the impacts of COVID-19 have deepened humanitarian needs and driven displacement. A quarter of women and girls become pregnant before turning 18the second-highest rate in Latin America. Dont put yourself through that stress. Honduras Travel Advisory - United States Department of State We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. 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. That means getting used to gangs, violence, and corruption. Its dangerous there.. Its a country with a big heart. And watch out for bad road conditions after heavy rain. 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 . Nevertheless, the political gains to be had from emulating Bukeles hardline policies may be too enticing to pass up. Honduras Extends, Expands State of Emergency for Second Time We hope these measures work and remain in place.. 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. Everyone from children to adults are recruited. Marvin Damin Castro Molina, who, as part of the Coordination of the Southern Social Environmental Movement for Life, fought mining, agro-industry, and hydroelectric projects, was abducted and found dead in Choluteca in July 2020. There are high levels of crime in Honduras. In Honduras, one of the most violent countries in the world, 60 percent of deaths are attributed to organized crime. Every dollar supports our mission. Weve covered the main safety concerns already, but there are a few more things to know. In El Salvador, a Thin Line Between Community Policing and Vigilantism. Honduras extends, expands state of emergency meant to fight crime generally, if youre visiting with a guided tour, you should be fine. Just 18 percent of Hondurans have internet access in their homes and a quarter of homes in rural areas dont have electricity. However, whilst its quite dangerous, the government is promoting tourism in Honduras. Xiomara Castros crackdown on gangs is also an attempt to counter allegations the government hasnt done enough to combat crime. The code also includes poorly constructed provisions that could lead to violations of the rights to assemble and protest and an overly broad definition of association to engage in terrorism, which could be used to criminalize and disproportionately punish behaviors that fall far short of what most reasonable observers would consider terrorism. Reaching primary sources and getting the real story involve extensive fieldwork. Gangs, particularly the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and the 18th Street Gang (Barrio 18), are considered to be largely responsible for Honduras murder rate, and are infamous for extortion and drug peddling. As the camera rolled, the police began stopping vehicles passing by in the background, running ID cards and frisking occupants. Patrick said the inmates were captured about 7:45 AM in downtown Newton. Please donate. People are frisked in Tegucigalpa on 26 November. The rate of young people killing other young people is down to two main gangs : Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and Barrio 18. And Hondurascan be a safe place for solo female travelers, but wed only recommend it after some solo travel experience.