Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency against gang crimes like extortion. Is your phone eSIM ready? Anyone else would do well with a trusted tour group. TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency to fight gang crimes like extortion. UNHCR; Posted 22 Dec 2022 Originally published 22 . TEGUCIGALPA (Reuters) - Honduran authorities reported on Monday the discovery of more than 1.6 million coca leaf bushes in the most important. But if youre thinking about it, here are some tips. We do our best to advise but this info may already be out of date. On 24 November, Hondurass leftwing president, Xiomara Castro, declared war on extortion a very real problem that causes economic stagnation, fuels violence and forces countless Hondurans to flee the country. 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. This coastal city is more welcoming togringos than other places and features beaches fringed bycoral reefsand theres a lot of new development happening here. Use these tips to reduce the risk, but we also recommend that you pack some medication fit for a bad stomach. In addition, gang recruitment of minors has contributed to the increasing numbers of families and unaccompanied children leaving Honduras for Mexico, some planning to travel onward to the U.S.. The first 2,000 inmates were transferred to El Salvador's new mega-prison for hardcore gangbangers. "Today at dawn, in a single operation, we transferred the first 2,000 gang . 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. Country Summary: Violent crime, such as homicide and armed robbery, is common. TEGUCIGALPA (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 criminal gangs amid high levels of violence. 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. Sign up for our newsletter and get the best travel tips delivered right to your inbox. Prosecutors and whistleblowers have received death threats. Honduras Crime Rate & Statistics 1990-2023 | MacroTrends Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2019 was 42.01, a 7.91% increase from 2018. REUTERS/Fredy Rodriguez/File PhotoReuters. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). They practice war taxing, which is essentially just demanding money from people. We are going to eradicate extortion in every corner of our country.. 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. As expected, the video went viral and the local newspapers made sure they put this trusted news source on their front page. So long as violence in Honduras continues without impunity, major displacement will persist in 2022. The question of Is Honduras Safe? will ALWAYS have a different answer depending on the parties involved. World Nomads mission is to support and encourage travellers to explore their boundaries. This is an issue that has not been taken seriously by the Honduran state.. These. Police presented a comprehensive plan to reform laws and ramp up institutional capacity measures that experts believe could have a positive effect long-term but which were pushed aside by the short-term political decision to declare a state of exception. The violence is carried out by local drug trafficking groups, gangs, corrupt security forces and transnational criminal organizations mainly from Mexico and Colombia. We get it. One good thing I can say about Roatan is that the dive sites are excellent around the island. The vaccine doses arrived in the Honduran capital on October 4 2021. Absent students, murdered teachers: Gang violence permeates Honduras As world leaders met for the United Nations General Assembly, Latin American presidents expressed various concerns about organized crime. Honduras Extends, Expands State of Emergency for Second Time Indeed, Honduras is seeing a plague of femicidesa woman is murdered every 36 hours, mostly by an intimate partner. Most serious crime does not affect tourists, but attacks on foreigners, including armed robbery and sexual assault, do sometimes occur. If we didnt have Bukeles example, we could probably look for some control and security responses based on strengthening institutions.. Crisis in Honduras: Ongoing violence and climate shocks They practice "war taxing", which is essentially just demanding money from people. Escaped inmates from Scott County captured in Newton Since 2017, the government has operated centers to support returned migrants. At the same time, traveling alone can be stressful, boring, lonely, anddangerous in varying quantities. 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. 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. 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. That means getting used to gangs, violence, and corruption. Theres no reason to get mixed up with a gang in Honduras. 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. Investigations were underway at time of writing. Some areas have increased risk. Classes were broadcast on television, radio, and online, in some cases with assignments sent via Whatsapp. Violent gang activity, such as extortion, violent street crime, rape, and narcotics and human trafficking, is widespread. 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. Donate now to support the IRC's life-changing work in Honduras, across northern Central America, and worldwide. LGBTpeople in Honduras are frequently the targets of violence and discrimination, according to Human Rights Watch research. Officials flew Garza, a 48-year-old . El Salvador and Honduras's response to chaos Sat Navs might not always tell you the best route. Security Minister Oscar Alvarez says police have identified two suspects among the five attackers . Here is available the most popular Honduras Newspapers list. Jesse Watters: Buying mace in Manhattan is almost as hard as getting a gun That said, the development that has taken place has not totally sucked the island dry of its charm. 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. 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. I consent to my personal information being processed in accordance with The Broke Backpackers. It was focused on the security, or lack of security in Honduras. Latest News Profile Criminal Actors Investigations News Latest News Its also a nice place since the ferry toUtilaruns from here, making it easy to escape to the tropical paradise of theBay Islandswhenever you feel like it. Belize's U-19 Women's National Team travels to Honduras on Friday to "Life Has Become Unlivable in Honduras": How Corruption & Drug Trade But if you meet the local ladies andlearn about their livesyoure going to have a VERY enriching experience on your hands. The government had granted him protective measures in January 2019. Instead, buy an eSIM! Honduran soldiers wearing facemasks guard the entrance to the city of San Pedro Sula during the coronavirus crisis on April 17, 2020. In 2014, the United Nations reported that 95 percent of cases of sexual violence and femicide in Honduras were never even investigated. The storms, among other shocks, led to higher levels of food scarcity while weakening the states capacity to cope with displacement. Escaped inmates from Scott County captured in Newton Sign in How Gangs Control Honduras VICE News 8.42M subscribers. Theres a lot to learn about Honduras that goes beyond gangs and beaches. While Honduras is not seeing the political armed conflict common in most Watchlist countries this year, criminal gang violence is widespread. Share this via Twitter Will Honduras Win The Fight Against Corruption? - Forbes An illegal immigrant from Honduras was sentenced to 60 years in prison Friday for the killing of a Florida man in Jacksonville in 2021, prosecutors said. Even if they graduate high school, they can't get a job." Every dollar supports our mission. 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: Honduras reached a . Corruption, crime, and gang activity inhibits the ability to conduct business activities freely and dissuades entrepreneurs from establishing new businesses. Simple as that. 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. There are some safety pointsthat travelers should know for anywhere they travel, but Honduras requires these special considerations. STANTON COUNTY, Neb. ThisCentral Americancountry suffers from what many countries in the region have suffered from or are currently battling with namely corruption, gangs,anddrugs. You will have to agree on a pricebefore you get in. The flavors, spices and. World Report 2022: Honduras | Human Rights Watch You should ask locals on the best routes to take to any given place. The number one network in cable, FNC has been the most-watched television news channel for 18 consecutive years. Inside Honduras' most dangerous gangs - YouTube Honduras Extends, Expands State of Emergency Meant to Fight Crime Especiallythrough a tour company. 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. EIN number 13-5660870. Independent travel is going to require A LOT of being careful. Read on for more detailed information on how to have a safe trip to Honduras. You can too. 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. 20 Top Safety Tips for Traveling to Honduras. That being said, its still one of the murder capitals in the world, so if youre an inexperienced travellers, you wont be safe. To make sure youre having a successful trip, weve listed the safest, and the no-go areas below. The rate of young people killing other young people is down to two main gangs : Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and Barrio 18. 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. Corruption, poor governance, and. As of September 2020, the US had yet to begin deporting any third country nationals to Honduras under the agreement. The US is losing allies in Latin America just as production of cocaine, fentanyl, and other synthetic drugs is going through the roof. We provide cash to help people meet basic needs. If youdo get one in the street, ensure that you tell the taxi driver that you dont want to share the taxi. Access to health care services was a concern in Honduras prior to the pandemic, particularly for rural and economically marginalized communities. If youre not on a highwayyoull probably need a 44. Efforts to reform public-security institutions have stalled. 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. 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 is important to know that Utila is very much a developed backpacker hotspot. Hardline policies, meanwhile, are popular because people think that theyre going to work but inevitably the track record is that they havent, said Malone. And there are roads that have higher levels ofattacks,including carjacking. Since the end of the last decade, political protection has allowed the traditional drug trafficking groups to flourish. crime | Honduras News It can get SUPER hot in Honduras. As a result, humanitarian needs for food, health, nutrition and protection have increased. Honduran illegal immigrant who lied to border authorities sentenced in (Reporting by Orfa Mejia in Tegucigalpa; Writing by Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Leslie Adler). 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. They forcibly recruit children and sexually abuse women, girls, and LGBT people. Some victims of extortion said that the only thing that has changed is how the money is collected. Youll need to be a confident traveler. In December 2018, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights found Honduras responsible for failing to investigate Hernndezs death. And for transparencys sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. Following domestic and international criticism, the government backtracked and a week later re-established constitutional free speech guarantees. And Hondurascan be a safe place for solo female travelers, but wed only recommend it after some solo travel experience. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow, File), Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. 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. Climate, violence, and Honduran migration to the United States - Brookings These drug trafficking gangs rule peoples lives. In Honduras, the types of danger include, but are not limited to, violent gang activity, trafficking, rape, street crime and armed robbery. Security experts are divided on how much the perception is the result of sensationalist media coverage, a real rise, a little of both or simply the continued expansion of a problem that has metastasized for two decades. Honduras declares war against gangs - and for control of popular At the same time, we need to acknowledge that it will take time for systems to change, but families across Honduras cannot waitthey have immediate needs to be safe and secure. And theyre generally safe. However, if you decide to travel independently, youll face quite a few challenges. Share this via Telegram Its not a good idea to go out to bars and clubs by yourself. Many women are choosing to flee the violence in their communities. You can definitely push your luck by staying in the wrong neighborhood as well. 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. Security forces committed abuses while enforcing a nationwide Covid-19 lockdown that President Juan Orlando Hernndez imposed in March. Roatan is the more developed, more expensive, and family friendly big brother of Utila. Some are deprived of full legal capacity and are institutionalized in different settings, including psychiatric hospitals. (Insider Tips), https://www.facebook.com/gratefulgypsies/, https://www.instagram.com/gratefulgypsies/, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn5T0r4o5KV4qoyQyR7Buww, https://www.pinterest.com/gratefulgypsies/, Traveller, teacher, writer, and bonafide music lover, Rachel Lee is a Tennessee-born human with a passion for movement. All rights reserved. Some areas are also safer than others. Members include officers from the police, the military, and the Attorneys General Office. If you use our guide, do your own research, and practise common sense, you will have a safe trip to Honduras. 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. 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. We need to address these immediate needs too.. For years, street gangs have charged protection money from bus and taxi drivers and store owners in Honduras, as in neighboring El Salvador. In September, two men shot and killed journalist Luis Alonzo Almendares in Comayagua. 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. Get a quote below or read our in-depth review! 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. And Honduras has been struggling to build representative democracy, to fight corruption and crime. Gangs kill, disappear, rape, or displace those who resist. 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. Chances are it wasnt cooked with too much care. The Newton Police Department has arrested three escaped inmates from Scott County, according to Newton police chief, Randy Patrick. Despite some similarities, the security situation in El Salvador is different from Honduras, which has a much larger territory, higher population, greater poverty and a more diverse set of criminal groups. 'Impossible to escape': El Salvador unveils new mega-prison SafetyWing is convenient, cheap, and trouble-free Insurance was never this easy! Transgender woman activist killed in Honduras At nighttime, you should really get a taxi. A 25-year-old migrant who posed as a minor to illegally cross the border was sentenced to 60 years for killing the father of four who took him in. Honduras is one of the poorest countries in the Western hemisphere. A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic booooring. Gangs attacking other gangs. And were not going to lie,Honduras doesnt exactly lend itself to solo travel. Corruption, no supervision, and poor legislation have led to Latin American military weapons ending up in criminal hands. They are taxed by gangs. 'Men can do anything they want to women in Honduras': Inside - ABC News Its not very safe to drive in Honduras. 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 likelihood of you getting caught up in all that relies very much on you being somehow related to one of the gangs. Were not going to say its thesafest place to travel,nor is it going to be the easiestplace to travel as a solo female. 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. 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. We dont want to recommend traveling to the rest of Honduras with your family. The mission in early December was ostensibly to raid a casa loca, an abandoned home used by gang members. Dont expect to discover an undeveloped private island. The Newton Police Department has arrested three escaped inmates from Scott County, according to Newton police chief, Randy Patrick. Honduras deploys soldiers on anti-crime patrols - 1 hr 50 mins ago TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras - The Honduran government has deployed soldiers to perform anti-crime patrols in some of the Central American country's most violent cities, following the massacre of 18 people in a shoe factory this week. Seeing the world without anyone to answer to, getting to challenge yourself andgrow as a person. Not really. Honduras - AP NEWS Honduras, the narco-state that illustrates U.S. contradictions Take theBay Islands,for example. Prisons saw significant Covid-19 outbreaks. Many people do travel to this particular part of Honduras,even with their families. Safety and security - Honduras travel advice - GOV.UK 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. Gang violence is widespread in and around urban areas. Pastor Daniel Pacheco told Los Angeles Times reporter Kate Linthicum, "I can ask them to leave the gang, but I don't have anything else to offer them. It also documented widespread mistreatment of people detained and arrested during the protests. But traveling there is possible, of course. Thats why weve listed and answered the most frequently asked questions on safety in Honduras. Wed,03/01/23-8:24AM, 1,088 Reads 16,082 Statewide. It has experienced one of the world's highest homicide rates, with multiple forms of violence linked to drug trafficking groups. The country has the second-highest rate of femicidedefined as the killing of a woman by a man because of her genderin Latin America, the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean reports. Ex-Honduras president's arrest puts US war on drugs into focus