honduras crime news
Gangs control areas within the same communities,. 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. Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency to fight gang crimes like extortion. Abortionisillegalin Honduras in all circumstances. Of the 6,088,590 vaccine doses, 100% were donated in partnership with COVAX. 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 . Feb. 21, 2023, at 6:11 p.m. Honduras Extends, Expands State of Emergency for Second Time. 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. 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. Efforts to reform public-security institutions have stalled. 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. Gangsplay a big part of life here. The new criminal code decriminalized defamation, but retains other crimes of honorincluding insult and slanderwhich have been used to prosecute journalists in the past. How Gangs Control Honduras - YouTube 0:00 / 11:46 Sign in to confirm your age This video may be inappropriate for some users. Please support our mission investigating organized crime. Jesse Watters: Buying mace in Manhattan is almost as hard as getting a gun. Certain routes that these take have been the target ofarmed attacks. 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. Hondurans are warm and welcoming people whohave to live day in, day out with the violence in their country. For years, street gangs have charged protection money from bus and taxi drivers and store owners in Honduras, as in neighboring El Salvador. 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. Honestly? Click here to read the full story: 6 gang members killed in Honduras prison. Share this via LinkedIn Politicians are manipulated by criminals or other politicians. But traveling there is possible, of course. 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 Late Thursday, Honduran President Xiomara Castro proposed a measure to limit constitutional rights so as to round up gang members. But the removal of military officers from an anti-gang taskforce resulted in a messy divorce that temporarily reduced the units already limited capacity opening a window for criminals and before the community policing model could have any effect, the political pressure to take decisive action against extortion boiled over. I consent to my personal information being processed in accordance with The Broke Backpackers. The island attracts a very different crowd indeed. Because of human rights, crime has gone on so long, because human rights defend the criminal, and it shouldnt be like that, she said. There are taxi ranks in a lot of locations. The food in Honduras is super tasty. Late Thursday, Honduran President Xiomara Castro proposed a measure to limit constitutional This new donation is in addition to the 81,900 doses of Pfizer . The law also sanctions abortion providers. But it has not yet resulted in an increase in police reports a key measure of public trust. 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. 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. Suddenly you find yourself surrounded by backpackers, dive shops, hostels, burger shacks, smoothie stands, and pirate bars. These. There have been protests due tocontested election results in late 2017. A Honduran woman and her children manage to cross the remnants of a bridge destroyed by Hurricane Iota. San Pedro Sula is the most dangerous city, not just in Honduras, but in the whole world. Or gangs attacking Honduran citizens for not paying war tax. So, yeah. You can definitely push your luck by staying in the wrong neighborhood as well. This is apretty safe area to visit. 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. Gang violence is widespread in and around urban areas. According to the U.N., Honduras has the highest femicide rate in the world. The first 2,000 inmates were transferred to El Salvador's new mega-prison for hardcore gangbangers. Journalists, environmental activists, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT). This is an issue that has not been taken seriously by the Honduran state.. Here's a list of 14: 1. Since 2010, 42. Following domestic and international criticism, the government backtracked and a week later re-established constitutional free speech guarantees. Sexual violence and oppression are frequent tragedies here. And that is pretty cool. 2023, The Broke Backpacker. Security forces committed abuses while enforcing a nationwide Covid-19 lockdown that President Juan Orlando Hernndez imposed in March. Honduras isnt different from lots of other great backpacking countries in that youre never absolutely safe from food-borne illness. 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. Gang violence is a big issue in Honduras. 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. This rule especially goes at night. The inmates, all from Honduras, had reportedly escaped custody yesterday in . document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Biodiversity is a huge part of Honduras. Prosecutors and whistleblowers have received death threats. But if you meet the local ladies andlearn about their livesyoure going to have a VERY enriching experience on your hands. 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. 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. In July 2020, gunmen in police uniforms abducted five indigenous Garifuna men in Triunfo de la Cruz, where communities are claiming ancestral land from drug traffickers and developers. Rights activists say young men are frequently arrested just based on their age, appearance or whether they live in a gang-dominated slum. Honduras, long one of the poorest countries in Latin America, is now also among the most violent and crime-ridden. 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. To make sure youre having a successful trip, weve listed the safest, and the no-go areas below. Domestic and sexual violence are also widespread, with women and children bearing the brunt. Officials flew Garza, a 48-year-old . Honduras is one of the murder capitals of the world. The U.S. government estimates that approximately 4% of all cocaine shipments from South America passed through Honduras by air or sea in 2019 of cocaine, equivalent to a U.S. street value of over $11.5 billion at current rates. In terms of murder rate, it's the second most violent country in Central or South America, trailing only Venezuela. 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. As the camera rolled, the police began stopping vehicles passing by in the background, running ID cards and frisking occupants. Honduras, long one of the poorest countries in Latin America, is now also among the most violent and crime-ridden. Historically, governments have responded with iron-fist security strategies to combat organized crime, enacting tougher legislation and increasing police presence and mass detentions. Extortion and Sexual Violence: Womens Unspoken Suffering, Loan Sharking Grows in Costa Rica by Piggybacking on Drug Trafficking, Extortion of Guatemalas Red Buses: Where Gang and Elite Criminal Interests Meet, The Lucky Kingpin: How Chepe Diablo Has (So Far) Ridiculed Justice, Guatemala's Mafia State and the Case of Mauricio Lpez Bonilla, University Deans and Guatemalas Convoluted Road to a New Attorney General, GameChangers 2022: Drug Bonanza Amid Prohibition Challenges in 2023, Honduras' State of Exception May Set Worrying Precedent, Why Money Launderers in Honduras May Be Getting Away With It, Military Arsenals Provide Convenient Source of Weapons for Latin American Gangs, Extortion in Northern Triangle Worth Over $1 Billion Annually: Report, Latin American Leaders Voice Security Concerns At United Nations General Assembly. Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency against gang crimes like extortion. Latest News Profile Criminal Actors Investigations News Latest News Chances are it wasnt cooked with too much care. The streets of major cities like Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula are gripped by crime and conflict. 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. Overcrowding, inadequate nutrition, poor sanitation, beatings, intra-gang violence, and detainee killings are endemic in prisons. FILE PHOTO: Police raid a house after Honduras' President Xiomara Castro (not pictured) mobilised . Honduras recorded 3,496 murders in 2020. Just in case, thats No quiero compartir el taxi.. Do your own research. On Friday, Jorge Lanza the leader of the bus operators in Honduras, supported the move, saying bus drivers were tired of being threatened and killed for not paying protection money. 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. Some are deprived of full legal capacity and are institutionalized in different settings, including psychiatric hospitals. 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. Allegations that senior politicians had been benefiting financially from the drug trade contributed to the unrest. Chronic violence, climate crisis and the impacts of COVID-19 have deepened humanitarian needs and driven displacement. As expected, the video went viral and the local newspapers made sure they put this trusted news source on their front page. But if the peace in the condemning nations were to rupture the way it has in El Salvador and Honduras, we can bet they . Here, you will find safety knowledge and advice for travelling Honduras. We are on the frontlines providing critical aid to crisis-affected people in more than 40 countries, including places on the 2022 Emergency Watchlist. led to the detention of more than 2% of its adult population. As of August, prisons had reported 1,700 confirmed Covid-19 cases and 38 deaths. Some victims of extortion said that the only thing that has changed is how the money is collected. The flavors, spices and. This coastal city is more welcoming togringos than other places and features beaches fringed bycoral reefsand theres a lot of new development happening here. Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2019 was 42.01, a 7.91% increase from 2018. You basically pay for safety, but better safe than sorry wed say. 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. 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. Access to health care services was a concern in Honduras prior to the pandemic, particularly for rural and economically marginalized communities. Make sure to check the reviews from previous travellers to check for any problems during their stay. 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.. Many women are choosing to flee the violence in their communities. In December 2018, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights found Honduras responsible for failing to investigate Hernndezs death. 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. Xiomara Castros crackdown on gangs is also an attempt to counter allegations the government hasnt done enough to combat crime. 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. Lots of travelers stick to bottled water,but please dont. Honduran women face daily struggles. Thats mainly to visit islands like Roatan. Almendares had repeatedly received death threats since 2017 in relation to his reporting. Get the latest news about the IRC's innovative programs, compelling stories about our clients and how you can make a difference. The inmates, all from Honduras, had reportedly escaped custody yesterday in Scott County. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Political power brokers also have ties to drug smuggling and have even run trafficking operations themselves. 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. They forcibly recruit children and sexually abuse women, girls, and LGBT people. They are taxed by gangs. Members of the military police of public order get ready during a special operation in Tegucigalpa on 6 December. Theres no reason to get mixed up with a gang in Honduras. So long as violence in Honduras continues without impunity, major displacement will persist in 2022. Utila is unlike the rest of mainland Honduras in just about every way. Honduras has the misfortune of being situated between South American cocaine production and U.S. drug consumption. That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we dont believe are up to scratch. Thats why we listed the no-go areas in Honduras below. We are going to be covering a whole lot of topics in this epic Honduras safety guide. More information. Youll need to be a confident traveler. Read about how e-Sims work or click below to see one of the top eSIM providers on the market andditch the plastic. Wed say only experienced, intrepid travelers should tackle this one alone. Two private security officers were charged. Since the end of the last decade, political protection has allowed the traditional drug trafficking groups to flourish. Look and see where locals are eating. And watch out for bad road conditions after heavy rain. CNN Juan Orlando Hernndez, the former president of Honduras, appeared virtually for his initial US court appearance Friday on federal drug trafficking and firearms possession charges.. How to tackle it is another issue. The government relies heavily on the military for public security. So youll likely escape having to pay war tax (or facing the consequences). There are many daily newspapers in Honduras where that constantly provide the latest updated news and information. Gender-based violence in Honduras is also among the highest in the region and has increased during the pandemic. 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.