The rate of young people killing other young people is down to two main gangs : Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and Barrio 18. Reconsider travel to Honduras due to crime. 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. Enjoy your travels! Hondurans are warm and welcoming people whohave to live day in, day out with the violence in their country. The Newton Police Department has arrested three escaped inmates from Scott County, according to Newton police chief, Randy Patrick. Weve made it pretty clear that Honduras isnt the safest country. Its not a good idea to go out to bars and clubs by yourself. Sign up to receive the latest updates from U.S News & World Report and our trusted partners and sponsors. Just in case, thats No quiero compartir el taxi.. Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2019 was 42.01, a 7.91% increase from 2018. 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. There are an estimated 115,000 gang members. Hondurass prison population has doubled over the past decade, partly due to a 2013 reform that greatly expanded the use of mandatory pre-trial detention. If San Pedro Sula Is Murder Capital of the World, Who Made It That Way? The information present in this safety guide was accurate at the time of writing, however, the world is a changeable place, now more than ever. Former president of Honduras makes initial appearance in US - CNN He estimated the companies and drivers have paid an average of about $10 million per month to the gangs in order to operate. The Newton Police Department has arrested three escaped inmates from Scott County, according to Newton police chief, Randy Patrick. Excessive use of force by police and deployment of the military in public security operations continued in 2020. The most extensive database on organized crime in the Americas. We provide cash to help people meet basic needs. Honduras Profile - InSight Crime So how do they do it?. Whether thats with friends and family back home, or with accommodation staff, or both. 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. If we didnt have Bukeles example, we could probably look for some control and security responses based on strengthening institutions.. An audit of government purchases of medical supplies to fight Covid-19 revealed supplies worth tens of millions of dollars had gone missing. STANTON COUNTY, Neb. Honduras declared a state of exception as extortion cases rise, suspending constitutional rights in cities and deploying thousands of troops. There are 37 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants, and all 18 provinces are. Gangs attacking other gangs. Its better for the environment and ends up being more economical in the long run. via REUTERS. You can also visit the island through a guided tour, which will add another layer of safety to your trip. Tegucigalpa. Nevertheless, the political gains to be had from emulating Bukeles hardline policies may be too enticing to pass up. Seth Sidney Berry / SOPA Images/Sipa USA (Sipa via AP Images), Share this via Facebook The violence is carried out by local drug trafficking groups, gangs, corrupt security forces and transnational criminal organizations mainly from Mexico and Colombia. Youll most likely get watered-down versions of Honduran food and Western stuff. The government had granted him protective measures in January 2019. Even if they graduate high school, they can't get a job." You should ask locals on the best routes to take to any given place. If you see any outdated information in this guide, we would really appreciate it if you could reach out in the comments below. You can definitely push your luck by staying in the wrong neighborhood as well. Police chief Gustavo Sanchez said the decision, based on what he told journalists were good results during December, will allow continued reductions in crime and violence. We wouldnt recommend members of the LGBTQ+ community to visit Honduras unless theyre prepared to keep any sort of affection behind closed doors. The police chief in Honduras reported 356 fewer homicides between Dec. 6, 2022 and Feb 20, 2023, compared to the period Dec. 6, 2021 to Feb. 20, 2022. By 2020 they want an additional milliontourists annually. 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. Hardline policies, meanwhile, are popular because people think that theyre going to work but inevitably the track record is that they havent, said Malone. Human rights defenders have said they will monitor the measures. Heres how to not get ill whilst trying local delights. Newton County Sheriff's Office was involved with . These are the things to avoid in Honduras: Avoid looking wealthy or like a tourist Avoid the beaches after dark Dont use ATMs at night Stay away from drugs. There are probably more sketchy areas in Honduras than there are safe ones. Honduran soldiers wearing facemasks guard the entrance to the city of San Pedro Sula during the coronavirus crisis on April 17, 2020. Dont expect to discover an undeveloped private island. So, yeah. 14 Problems Hondurans Face Today - Forbes Every year, more than 100,000 Hondurans are internally displaced, migrate, seek protection abroad, or are deported back to Honduras. 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. Honduras Reports 'Historic' Coca Seizure | Breaking News App by Shore Is Honduras safe for solo female travelers? Reaching primary sources and getting the real story involve extensive fieldwork. The Supreme Court, particularly its president, exerts excessive control over the appointment and removal of judges, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights reported in 2019, and career instability limits judges independence. They practice war taxing, which is essentially just demanding money from people. We strive to provide the most relevant travel information on the web and always appreciate input from our readers (nicely, please!). Rising seas eat away at Honduran fishing village If youdo get one in the street, ensure that you tell the taxi driver that you dont want to share the taxi. People are frisked in Tegucigalpa on 26 November. Share this via Email ThisCentral Americancountry suffers from what many countries in the region have suffered from or are currently battling with namely corruption, gangs,anddrugs. The 'spiralling crisis' pushing Hondurans to flee north The men remained missing at time of writing. 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. 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. FILE PHOTO: Police raid a house after Honduras' President Xiomara Castro (not pictured) mobilised . Activist groups, like the Grupo Prisma, have formed that educate and inform the general public as well as fight the current rules against homosexual relationships. Journalists, environmental activists, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT). Violent gang activity, such as extortion, violent street crime, rape, and narcotics and human trafficking, is widespread. 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. 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. It also documented widespread mistreatment of people detained and arrested during the protests. October 4, 2021 The U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa, Honduras is pleased to announce a donation from the government of the United States of 250,000 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to the people of Honduras. That said, the governmentclaimsthere has been a 52%decreasein violent crime over the past five years. 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. Get fresh updates on organized crime from across the region delivered to your inbox. International Rescue Committee is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. But Honduras is far from Eden. Honduras News - Daily News About Honduras But the thing iswomen DO travel alone to Honduras. Otherwise, thanks for your ear and stay safe! The food in Honduras is super tasty. 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. World Report 2021: Honduras | Human Rights Watch The island attracts a very different crowd indeed. Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency against gang crimes like extortion. Get a quote below or read our in-depth review! Honduras Honduras declares war against gangs - and for control of popular narrative Xiomara Castro's crackdown on gangs is also an attempt to counter allegations the government hasn't done. Migrant posing as minor who killed father of four that took him in gets The data was compiled by Citizen Council for Public Security, Justice, and Peace, a Mexican. Following domestic and international criticism, the government backtracked and a week later re-established constitutional free speech guarantees. The UNspecialrapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders called Honduras one of the most dangerous countries for human rights defenders in Latin America. And were not going to lie,Honduras doesnt exactly lend itself to solo travel. crime | Honduras News Gangsters killed Maria's sister in Honduras. A note on the door told The effort comes amid complaints by business owners, the transportation sector and ordinary Hondurans that extortion by criminals has risen in recent months. ACNUR acoge con satisfaccin la aprobacin de la ley sobre desplazamiento interno en Honduras Format News and Press Release Source. Make sure to check the reviews from previous travellers to check for any problems during their stay. In June 2020, a new criminal code came into effect. At the same time, traveling alone can be stressful, boring, lonely, anddangerous in varying quantities. (Reporting by Orfa Mejia in Tegucigalpa; Writing by Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Leslie Adler). We are all about smart travel and were here to help you travel smart too. And there are roads that have higher levels ofattacks,including carjacking. And Hondurascan be a safe place for solo female travelers, but wed only recommend it after some solo travel experience. For years, street gangs have charged protection money from bus and taxi drivers and store owners in Honduras, as in neighboring El Salvador. Nope. 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. Clearly, with the pandemic, that goal wasnt reached, but its not been forgotten either. There's no avoiding violence in Honduras, even at home. Corruption, poor governance, and. Keeping yourself away from any situation to do with them will be a good way to keep yourself pretty much safe. This is due to negotiationsbetween criminal groups and the government, and possibly because of economic aid from the US. Honduras is one of the murder capitals of the world. In 2014, the United Nations reported that 95 percent of cases of sexual violence and femicide in Honduras were never even investigated. Theres a lot of fresh fish in places like, Steer clear of anything that you cant peel yourself. Theres alsoLa Ceiba. This rule especially goes at night. In September, two men shot and killed journalist Luis Alonzo Almendares in Comayagua. 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. Roatan is the largest of the Honduras Bay Islands. 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. 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. Heres what you need to know about the growing crisis in Honduras. Ex-Honduras president's arrest puts US war on drugs into focus Security Minister Oscar Alvarez says police have identified two suspects among the five attackers . And theyre generally safe. Honduras has freed dozens of individuals tied to organized crime a year after reforming its money laundering law. Share this via Reddit Subscribe. Theyre run by private companies, obviously, and aremore expensivethan public buses. During the first month of the measures, 39 criminal gangs were destroyed and 652 people were arrested, while 43 kilos of cocaine and thousands of grams and rocks of crack were seized, the police said. 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. Here is available the most popular Honduras Newspapers list. Jesse Watters: Buying mace in Manhattan is almost as hard as getting a gun. Historically, governments have responded with iron-fist security strategies to combat organized crime, enacting tougher legislation and increasing police presence and mass detentions. In the streets where insecurity lurks around each corner, many ordinary Hondurans want to see extreme measures human rights be damned and believe that anything short of that is not enough. How Gangs Control Honduras - YouTube 0:00 / 11:46 Sign in to confirm your age This video may be inappropriate for some users. 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. Honduras isnt different from lots of other great backpacking countries in that youre never absolutely safe from food-borne illness. Honduras has been through a lot in recent years. 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. Itcan be safe as a solo female traveler in Honduras. 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. 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. Indeed, Honduras is seeing a plague of femicidesa woman is murdered every 36 hours, mostly by an intimate partner. Dont put yourself through that stress. Part 1: Cycles of violence in Honduras - Doctors Without Borders Hondurashas endorsed the World Health OrganizationsSolidarity Call to Action for the Covid-19 Technology Access Pool, an initiative to realize equitable global access to COVID-19 health technologies through pooling of knowledge, intellectual property and data., Human Rights Watch defends the rights of people in close to 100 countries worldwide, spotlighting abuses and bringing perpetrators to justice, Human Rights Watch is a 501(C)(3)nonprofit registered in the US under EIN: 13-2875808, Freedom of Expression, Association, and Assembly, Attacks on Lawyers, Human Rights Defenders, and Environmental Activists, Sexual and Reproductive Rights, Violence Against Women, Migrants, Refugees, and Internally Displaced People, Bidens Challenge: Redeeming a US Role for Human Rights, Addressing the Climate Crisis in Times of Pandemic, From Flight Logs to Homeschooling, Human Rights Watch Grapples with Covids Challenges, As Online Gender-Based Violence Booms, Governments Drag Their Feet, The Other Pandemic: Fighting Inequality as We Beat Back Covid, Poverty, Pandemic, Police Violence: Ongoing Crises Demand the US Address Pervasive Racism. Many Hondurans dont have access toclean waterandmedical care. A Honduran woman and her children manage to cross the remnants of a bridge destroyed by Hurricane Iota. Transgender woman activist killed in Honduras The rate of young people killing other young people is down to twomain gangs:Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) andBarrio 18. So no. Officials flew Garza, a 48-year-old . Honduras and theUS signed anasylum cooperative agreement in 2019, whereby Honduras agreed to receivenon-Honduran asylum-seekerstransferred by the US. UNHCR; Posted 22 Dec 2022 Originally published 22 . We are going to eradicate extortion in every corner of our country.. Of 25,000 gang members in 2012, nearly a fifth were children, UNICEF estimated. You will have to agree on a pricebefore you get in. Shootings are very common in poorer areas too. 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. The crime rates are improving and the government is putting a lot of effort into attracting more tourists. LGBTpeople in Honduras are frequently the targets of violence and discrimination, according to Human Rights Watch research. 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. There have been protests due tocontested election results in late 2017. Some victims of extortion said that the only thing that has changed is how the money is collected. Just 18 percent of Hondurans have internet access in their homes and a quarter of homes in rural areas dont have electricity. Political power brokers also have ties to drug smuggling and have even run trafficking operations themselves. MUST READ! Is Honduras Safe to Visit in 2022? - The Broke Backpacker Belize's U-19 Women's National Team travels to Honduras on Friday to Absent students, murdered teachers: Gang violence permeates Honduras The first 2,000 inmates were transferred to El Salvador's new mega-prison for hardcore gangbangers. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. 18th Street, also known as Calle 18, Barrio 18, Mara 18, or simply La 18 in Central America, is a multi-ethnic (largely Central American and Mexican) transnational criminal organization that started as a street gang in Los Angeles.It is one of the largest transnational criminal gangs in Los Angeles, with 65,000 members between the United States, Mexico, and Central America and is also allied . I consent to my personal information being processed in accordance with The Broke Backpackers. Its just better to have a local driver drive you around. This is when things can get sketchy. Dont drink the water without treating, and steer clear of ice cubes,too. This is an issue that has not been taken seriously by the Honduran state.. In 2018, the government created a special force to fight gangs (Fuerza Nacional Anti Maras y pandillas). It provided a family, a sense of belonging. Honduras: The fear of kidnapping does not stop the exodus from a Investigating organized crime is an expensive and often risky enterprise. Climate, violence, and Honduran migration to the United States - Brookings The number one network in cable, FNC has been the most-watched television news channel for 18 consecutive years. Travel smart and make sure your safety and security is your number one priority. We dont want to recommend traveling to the rest of Honduras with your family. 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. 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, in general, is open and welcoming to children. In June, the OHCHR and IACHR jointly expressed concern that the new penal code disproportionately restricts freedoms of speech, press, and association and fails to criminalize torture committed by third parties acting on behalf of state agents. 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. 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.. A law prohibiting same-sex couples from adopting childrentook effect in 2019. But its pretty damn special too. How Gangs Control Honduras - YouTube Its prettyextreme. In these demonstrations, more than 1,500 were arrested and30 people were killed. Share this via WhatsApp Inside Gang Territory in Honduras: 'Either They Kill Us or We Kill Them So long as violence in Honduras continues without impunity, major displacement will persist in 2022. The flavors, spices and. Extortion in the Northern Triangle is predominantly done from prisons, yet prison populations have been on the rise. And taxi driversprobably wont have enough change to cover a big bill, socarry small denominations. We hope these measures work and remain in place.. Violence has long ruled here. And if youre visiting as part of a tour, then youre likely to stay safe. Country Summary: Violent crime, such as homicide and armed robbery, is common. The likelihood of you getting caught up in all that relies very much on you being somehow related to one of the gangs. Namely, being robbed. 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. Honduras. Members of the military police of public order patrol a street during a special operation against criminal gangs in Tegucigalpa on 6 December. But its clear that extortion is occurring in areas where it didnt in the past, and there is no disagreement, among experts or others, on the gravity of the problem. They offer simple & flexible travel insurance, and safety advice to help you travel confidently. Sat Navs might not always tell you the best route. Honduras - AP NEWS Xiomara should hurry up and go after all those gang members, said Isidora Varela, 70, at her market stand in downtown Tegucigalpa. 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. You can catch a ferry from the mainland atLa Ceibato eitherUtilaorRoatan. San Pedro Sula - Wikipedia It may not exactly be classed as safe, but Honduras shouldnt be ignored. Is your phone eSIM ready? Donate now to support the IRC's life-changing work in Honduras, across northern Central America, and worldwide. Honduran women face daily struggles. 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. Home to the second biggest barrier reef in the world, beaches, and sparkling turquoise sea, as well as a whole host of Mayan ruins, amazing coffee, and the second largest rainforest in the Americas, Honduras is extremely biodiverse: there are 770 bird species alone. Honduras isnt perfectly safe for tourists, but that doesnt mean that you can travel there or have a good time. TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency to fight gang crimes like extortion. Individuals and state agents continute to threaten and attack journalists, press freedom groups report. It has experienced one of the world's highest homicide rates, with multiple forms of violence linked to drug trafficking groups. Honduras International Travel Information