Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency against gang crimes like extortion. Violent organized crime continues to disrupt Honduran society and push many people to leave the country. Honduran people are friendly and welcoming. In June, police detained and beat bus drivers who were allegedly protesting not being able to work due to lockdown restrictions. Visiting Honduras right now is as safe as it ever was:not very. La Ceibaon the northern coast, with mountains, jungles, and beaches, is a chilled and adventurous area to explore. 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. See the State Department's travel website for the Worldwide Caution and Travel Advisories. SafetyWing is convenient, cheap, and trouble-free Insurance was never this easy! People are frisked in Tegucigalpa on 26 November. Were not going to lie its pretty sketchy. Almendares had repeatedly received death threats since 2017 in relation to his reporting. 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. January 26, 2022 At a glance Population: 10.1 million 2.8 million people in need of humanitarian aid Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2017 was 40.98, a 26.23% decline from 2016. If San Pedro Sula Is Murder Capital of the World, Who Made It That Way? 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. El Salvador and Honduras have been condemned by the "civilized" world. The number one network in cable, FNC has been the most-watched television news channel for 18 consecutive years. 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. Everyone from children to adults are recruited. Were not going to say its thesafest place to travel,nor is it going to be the easiestplace to travel as a solo female. On theCaribbean coast, there are plenty of delicious dishes to sample, with tortillasand things likerefried beansserved up with every meal. In the 2010s, Honduras' homicide rate skyrocketed, peaking in 2011 and slowly declining since. Here are three reasons the International Rescue Committees Emergency Watchlist ranks Honduras among 20 countries most at risk of worsening humanitarian crisis in 2022. Honduras Private Sector and Anti-Extortion Police: An Unholy Alliance? To Desafio, the Barrio 18 gang in Honduras was everything. And this area is great for children. The first 2,000 inmates were transferred to El Salvador's new mega-prison for hardcore gangbangers. 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. 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.. There are some safety pointsthat travelers should know for anywhere they travel, but Honduras requires these special considerations. So long as violence in Honduras continues without impunity, major displacement will persist in 2022. Thats mainly to visit islands like Roatan. 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. 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. But if the peace in the condemning nations were to rupture the way it has in El Salvador and Honduras, we can bet they . As a result, humanitarian needs for food, health, nutrition and protection have increased. All of these are in Santa Barbara Department, which also sees hijackings aroundTela, La Ceiba, andEl Progresoas well asTrujillo. 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. The inmates, all from Honduras, had reportedly escaped custody yesterday in Scott County. TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras -- Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency to fight gang crimes like extortion. Theres a lot of fresh fish in places like, Steer clear of anything that you cant peel yourself. But its pretty damn special too. This helps keep everyone in poverty. There are an estimated 115,000 gang members. msn back to msn home news Skip To Navigation Its a wild world out there. In Honduras, Police Accused Of Corruption, Killings Hernndez ran for reelection in 2017 a controversial move in Honduras. City busestravel around the cities and towns themselves. A quarter of women and girls become pregnant before turning 18the second-highest rate in Latin America. 'Men can do anything they want to women in Honduras': Inside - ABC News The UNspecialrapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders called Honduras one of the most dangerous countries for human rights defenders in Latin America. Honduras declared a state of exception as extortion cases rise, suspending constitutional rights in cities and deploying thousands of troops. FromLimonestoLa Union, fromGualacotoSan Esteban,and fromLa EsperanzatoGraciasThese routes can bedangerous. We need to address these immediate needs too.. Excessive use of force by police and deployment of the military in public security operations continued in 2020. This is essentially anunsafecountry. Migrant posing as minor who killed father of four that took him in gets After kidnapping in Honduras, teen ended up in San Leandro backyard 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 vaccine doses arrived in the Honduran capital on October 4 2021. In Honduras, the types of danger include, but are not limited to, violent gang activity, trafficking, rape, street crime and armed robbery. It pays totravel smartin Honduras like ANYWHERE in the world. Or gangs attacking Honduran citizens for not paying war tax. In fact, most people in Honduras have a family member in a gang. Sat Navs might not always tell you the best route. Most serious crime does not affect tourists, but attacks on foreigners, including armed robbery and sexual assault, do sometimes occur. Radio taxisare always a better option than hailing one off the street. Late Thursday, Honduran President Xiomara Castro proposed a measure to limit constitutional rights so as to round up gang members. (Reporting by Orfa Mejia in Tegucigalpa; Writing by Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Leslie Adler). The new code also includes alternatives to detention for low-level crimes, including partial prison sentences and penalties that allow for conditional release. Its just better to have a local driver drive you around. Gender-based violence in Honduras is also among the highest in the region and has increased during the pandemic. Some areas have increased risk. Impunity for human rights abuses, violent crime, and corruption remains the norm, even as the prison population has mushroomed. Check in and let people know your plans. 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. The government of Honduras is committed to attracting more tourists. As expected, the video went viral and the local newspapers made sure they put this trusted news source on their front page. Absent students, murdered teachers: Gang violence permeates Honduras For years, street gangs have charged protection money from bus and taxi drivers and store owners in Honduras, as in neighboring El Salvador. 2 Norfolk men allegedly killed, planned to eat American Bald Eagle Violence: Honduras reached a . The violence is carried out by local drug trafficking groups, gangs, corrupt security forces and transnational criminal organizations mainly from Mexico and Colombia. document.getElementById("ak_js_2").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This website uses cookies to improve your experience. For years, street gangs have charged protection money from bus and taxi drivers and store owners in Honduras, as in neighboring El Salvador. You can definitely push your luck by staying in the wrong neighborhood as well. It might sound like paradiseBut it isnt. Thepublic busesconsist ofthe good oldchicken bus. World Report 2021: Honduras | Human Rights Watch Death threats and gang violence forcing more families to - ReliefWeb 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. By clicking submit, you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy. He estimated the companies and drivers have paid an average of about $10 million per month to the gangs in order to operate. Already vulnerable people in Honduras live in an evolving humanitarian crisis, says IRC protection coordinator Zuleyma Chahin. 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. To make sure youre having a successful trip, weve listed the safest, and the no-go areas below. Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2018 was 38.93, a 5.01% decline from 2017. But before arriving, the car stopped and the caravan split. 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. After a 2019 wave of gang violence that killed 37 detainees, President Hernndez declared a state of emergency and put prisons under military control. The violence is carried out by local drug trafficking groups, gangs, corrupt security forces and transnational criminal organizations mainly from Mexico and Colombia. As of September 2020, the US had yet to begin deporting any third country nationals to Honduras under the agreement. While Honduras is not seeing the political armed conflict common in most Watchlist countries this year, criminal gang violence is widespread. It has experienced one of the world's highest homicide rates, with multiple forms of violence linked to drug trafficking groups. 'Impossible to escape': El Salvador unveils new mega-prison There are high levels of crime in Honduras. In fact, according toInSight Crime there has definitely been around a 26% drop in crime since 2016. 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. Gang violence is a big issue in Honduras. One example:tajadas(fried plantains, topped with cabbage and served with ground beef). In June 2020, a new criminal code came into effect. 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. 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. 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. Efforts to reform public-security institutions have stalled. The story 6 gang members killed in Honduras prison was published by the Associated Press on 2022-07-04 18:29:24. Activistssaythegovernments Mechanism for the Protection of Journalists, Human Rights Defenders and Operators of Justice, created in 2015, lacks uniform criteria and is ineffective. Investigating organized crime is an expensive and often risky enterprise. Womenand girls who terminate pregnancies face prison sentences of up to six years. TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency to fight gang crimes like extortion. The Bay Islands are the only palace in Honduras that can (kind of) be considered somewhat safe. This coastal city is more welcoming togringos than other places and features beaches fringed bycoral reefsand theres a lot of new development happening here. Not really. And taxi driversprobably wont have enough change to cover a big bill, socarry small denominations. Enjoy your travels! Honduras International Travel Information They practice "war taxing", which is essentially just demanding money from people. 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. 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. Members of the military police of public order get ready during a special operation in Tegucigalpa on 6 December. 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. Thats why we listed the no-go areas in Honduras below. Patrick said the inmates were captured about 7:45 AM in downtown Newton. TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency to fight gang crimes like extortion. Xiomara Castros crackdown on gangs is also an attempt to counter allegations the government hasnt done enough to combat crime. Close, Is Honduras Safe for Travel? Jesse Watters: Buying mace in Manhattan is almost as hard as getting a gun You can too. Dont eat at tourist traps. 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 more nature here than you can shake a stick at. Belize's U-19 Women's National Team travels to Honduras on Friday to Ex-Honduras president's arrest puts US war on drugs into focus 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. The former vice president has become the Democratic front-runner with primary victories across the country. Violence against LGBT individuals forces many to leave their homes, fleeing internally or leaving the country to seek asylum. But nongovernmental organizations have tallied several thousand human rights violations and at least 80 in-custody deaths of people arrested during the state of exception. As VP Kamala Harris prepares to visit #Honduras for the presidential inauguration, we call for international cooperation and funding to respond to the humanitarian crisis displacing thousands in the country. Prosecutors and whistleblowers have received death threats. Honduras Profile - InSight Crime In November 2020, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights heard the case of Vicky Hernndez, a trans woman allegedly extrajudicially executed in 2009. The question of Is Honduras Safe? will ALWAYS have a different answer depending on the parties involved. That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we dont believe are up to scratch. InSight Crime's 2022 Homicide Round-Up covers more countries than ever before, with a major expansion into nations of the Caribbean. The rate of young people killing other young people is down to twomain gangs:Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) andBarrio 18. There is no exact number of the exodus, but according to the United States Customs and Border Protection Service, in 2020, they arrested 40,091 Hondurans, who were trying to enter the United States irregularly and until September 2021, this amount increased to 98,554 Honduran arrests, more than double the previous year. Whether thats with friends and family back home, or with accommodation staff, or both. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow, File), Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 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. Is your phone eSIM ready? FOX News Channel (FNC) is a 24-hour all-encompassing news service delivering breaking news as well as political and business news. Weve covered the main safety concerns already, but there are a few more things to know. San Pedro Sula - Wikipedia People live here with children, by themselves, as couples, some retire here, and some people have even started up their own hostelsor otherbusinesses. In 2018, the last year for which statistics are available, 60 percent of perpetrators were domestic partners. San Pedro Sula is the most dangerous city, not just in Honduras, but in the whole world. Well Public transportation can be alittle trickyin Honduras, and its not always safe. Simple as that. It can be a super enriching experience. An audit of government purchases of medical supplies to fight Covid-19 revealed supplies worth tens of millions of dollars had gone missing. As of August, prisons had reported 1,700 confirmed Covid-19 cases and 38 deaths. 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 . 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. Gangs attacking other gangs. Honduras, in general, is open and welcoming to children. Again, thank you! The poverty resulting from all this is what youll have to watch out for. News & Events - U.S. Embassy in Honduras Its dangerous there.. In 2014, the United Nations reported that 95 percent of cases of sexual violence and femicide in Honduras were never even investigated. Honduras recorded 3,496 murders in 2020. In 2018, the government created a special force to fight gangs (Fuerza Nacional Anti Maras y pandillas). In these demonstrations, more than 1,500 were arrested and30 people were killed. In September, the OHCHR and IACHR expressed concern regarding the continued spread of the virus in prisons. Safety and security - Honduras travel advice - GOV.UK While there were a few violent crime incidents, most travelers have a safe and pleasant stay. This has a pretty good expat community too. Your little ones get to see the Mesoamerican Reef,thesecond largest barrier reef in the world. Especiallythrough a tour company. Almost 110,000 Hondurans were returned in 2019, mostly from Mexico. If a restaurant or eatery of any sort looks busy, thats probably because its good, both in terms of taste and. Honduras newspaper, TV channel news, online portal news, and magazine sites are getting popularity day by day around the world. 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. You will have to agree on a pricebefore you get in. 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. Dont hitchhike ortake lifts from strangers , Other ways to meet fellow travelers and. This isnt one for first-time backpackers. In September, two men shot and killed journalist Luis Alonzo Almendares in Comayagua. They offer simple & flexible travel insurance, and safety advice to help you travel confidently. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Certain routes that these take have been the target ofarmed attacks. 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. El Salvador and Honduras's response to chaos All rights reserved. Patrick said the inmates were captured about 7:45 AM in downtown Newton. It suspends some Constitutional rights and gives police more powers to arrest and hold suspects. The US is losing allies in Latin America just as production of cocaine, fentanyl, and other synthetic drugs is going through the roof. Nope. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. 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. This is due to negotiationsbetween criminal groups and the government, and possibly because of economic aid from the US. Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2019 was 42.01, a 7.91% increase from 2018. Part 1: Cycles of violence in Honduras - Doctors Without Borders Theres no reason to get mixed up with a gang in Honduras. Click here to read the full story: 6 gang members killed in Honduras prison. crime | Honduras News The flavors, spices and. As world leaders met for the United Nations General Assembly, Latin American presidents expressed various concerns about organized crime. It was focused on the security, or lack of security in Honduras. Gang violence and organized crime are leading causes of displacement from Honduras. Women - Honduras has the fifth-highest rate of violence against women in the world. Individuals and state agents continute to threaten and attack journalists, press freedom groups report. Allegations that senior politicians had been benefiting financially from the drug trade contributed to the unrest. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time can seriously get you in trouble. Climate, violence, and Honduran migration to the United States - Brookings Honduras isnt different from lots of other great backpacking countries in that youre never absolutely safe from food-borne illness. 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. Planning a safe trip to Honduras can get quite overwhelming. Reconsider travel to Honduras due to crime. Crisis in Honduras: Ongoing violence and climate shocks So youll likely escape having to pay war tax (or facing the consequences). 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. Honduras isnt a gay-friendly country, however, there are some movements that are going in the right direction. Many Hondurans dont have access toclean waterandmedical care. Between the pandemic, ever-worsening cultural division, and a click-hungry media, it can be hard to maintain what is truth and what is sensationalism. Sign up to receive the latest updates from U.S News & World Report and our trusted partners and sponsors. Over60% of the populationlive below the poverty line. 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. But the thing iswomen DO travel alone to Honduras. February 18 2022 Receive free Honduras updates We'll send you a myFT Daily Digest email rounding up the latest Honduras news every morning. Prolonged droughts have undermined food production, while in October 2021 a wildfire in the Guanaja region affected thousands. Taxis areall over the placein Honduras.