Allegations that senior politicians had been benefiting financially from the drug trade contributed to the unrest. 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. 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 . And for transparencys sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. Violent organized crime continues to disrupt Honduran society and push many people to leave the 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. Click here to read the full story: 6 gang members killed in Honduras prison. News & Events - U.S. Embassy in Honduras Honduras is one of the murder capitals of the world. Gang violence is a big issue in Honduras. Honestly? They are taxed by gangs. People do it. With all of its branches of government and its armed forces plagued by corruption, Honduras has evolved into a transit nation in which criminal groups, protected by the political system, have developed the capacity to produce cocaine hydrochloride in local laboratories. Honduras Extends, Expands State of Emergency for Second Time 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. Latest News Profile Criminal Actors Investigations News Latest News Especiallythrough a tour company. There are some safety pointsthat travelers should know for anywhere they travel, but Honduras requires these special considerations. 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. Honduras Crime Rate & Statistics 1990-2023 | MacroTrends Theyve been doing it since 2002 protecting, connecting, and inspiring independent travellers just like you. 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. Honduras has the misfortune of being situated between South American cocaine production and U.S. drug consumption. Violent organized crime continues to disrupt Honduran society and push many people to leave the country. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time can seriously get you in trouble. Late Thursday, Honduran President Xiomara Castro proposed a measure to limit constitutional rights so as to round up gang members. Nevertheless, the political gains to be had from emulating Bukeles hardline policies may be too enticing to pass up. FILE PHOTO: Police raid a house after Honduras' President Xiomara Castro (not pictured) mobilised . World Report 2022: Honduras | Human Rights Watch It has experienced one of the world's highest homicide rates, with multiple forms of violence linked to drug trafficking groups. Gracias a Dios Department due to crime. These drug trafficking gangs rule peoples lives. There are alsopassenger ferriesif you want to go totheBay Islands. Theres more nature here than you can shake a stick at. 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. Roatan is the more developed, more expensive, and family friendly big brother of Utila. Its dangerous there.. Travel smart and make sure your safety and security is your number one priority. The government has set up roadblocks, deployed security forces, and used violence to prevent people from leaving the country. Escaped inmates from Scott County captured in Newton Gang wars and fights with the police are common in this city. 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. 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. Stay informed daily on the latest news and advice on COVID-19 from the editors at U.S. News & World Report. Gang violence is widespread in and around urban areas. It was focused on the security, or lack of security in Honduras. Some areas have increased risk. Meanwhile, as Guatemalas electoral season heats up ahead of next years presidential election, some candidates have signaled that if elected, they would also implement hardline policies. If a restaurant or eatery of any sort looks busy, thats probably because its good, both in terms of taste and. if youre visiting Honduras, you will have to avoid this city completely. EIN number 13-5660870. You basically pay for safety, but better safe than sorry wed say. 2 Norfolk men allegedly killed, planned to eat American Bald Eagle Until his life grew increasingly violent. San Pedro Sula - Wikipedia 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. Lucky for you,youre not a Honduran citizen. Dont expect to discover an undeveloped private island. Chances are, if you are arriving via a cruise ship, you will be safe. Poor health infrastructure and limited access to sanitation services has contributed to the spread of the virus. Weve made it pretty clear that Honduras isnt the safest country. Activistssaythegovernments Mechanism for the Protection of Journalists, Human Rights Defenders and Operators of Justice, created in 2015, lacks uniform criteria and is ineffective. 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. Climate, violence, and Honduran migration to the United States - Brookings Dont hitchhike ortake lifts from strangers , Other ways to meet fellow travelers and. Will Honduras Win The Fight Against Corruption? - Forbes Inside Honduras' most dangerous gangs - YouTube All of these are in Santa Barbara Department, which also sees hijackings aroundTela, La Ceiba, andEl Progresoas well asTrujillo. 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.. Use these tips to reduce the risk, but we also recommend that you pack some medication fit for a bad stomach. We then verify, write and edit, providing the tools to generate real impact. Here, you will find safety knowledge and advice for travelling Honduras. Many women are choosing to flee the violence in their communities. Its better for the environment and ends up being more economical in the long run. 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. And this area is great for children. 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. This rule especially goes at night. The most extensive database on organized crime in the Americas. In June, police detained and beat bus drivers who were allegedly protesting not being able to work due to lockdown restrictions. The Covid-19 pandemic has further limited access to education for many children. The inmates, all from Honduras, had reportedly escaped custody yesterday in . Honduras has freed dozens of individuals tied to organized crime a year after reforming its money laundering law. Please donate. (KCAU) The Stanton County Sheriff's Office said that they've cited two men who allegedly killed an American Bald Eagle. 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. Dont open the door for anyone, unless youre expecting a visit. Reconsider travel to Honduras due to crime. Officials flew Garza, a 48-year-old . Roatan is the largest of the Honduras Bay Islands. As expected, the video went viral and the local newspapers made sure they put this trusted news source on their front page. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Garza is wanted in Honduras for homicide. Get a quote below or read our in-depth review! Womenand girls who terminate pregnancies face prison sentences of up to six years. Late Thursday, Honduran President Xiomara Castro proposed a measure to limit constitutional Alongside her husband, Sasha, she co-founded the. 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. They offer simple & flexible travel insurance, and safety advice to help you travel confidently. Take theBay Islands,for example. There is limited data on the effectiveness of the program in Honduras. We are all about smart travel and were here to help you travel smart too. But if the peace in the condemning nations were to rupture the way it has in El Salvador and Honduras, we can bet they . Newton County Sheriff's Office was involved with . You can too. Reaching primary sources and getting the real story involve extensive fieldwork. There is no such thing as a perfect safety guide, and this article is no different. January 26, 2022 At a glance Population: 10.1 million 2.8 million people in need of humanitarian aid STANTON COUNTY, Neb. The poverty resulting from all this is what youll have to watch out for. TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency to fight gang crimes like extortion. Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency against gang crimes like extortion. The data was compiled by Citizen Council for Public Security, Justice, and Peace, a Mexican. 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. 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. We are going to be covering a whole lot of topics in this epic Honduras safety guide. 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. 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. Youll be able to travel around here with relative ease. Around 191,000 people were internally displaced between 2004 and 2018, the Honduran government reported, and more than 75,000 Hondurans sought asylum abroad in 2017. UNHCR; Posted 22 Dec 2022 Originally published 22 . We can't put up any longer with workers being killed and paying extortion, Lanza said. Even if they graduate high school, they can't get a job." The groups most likely to be internally displaced or leave the country are children subjected to forced gang recruitment, professionals and business owners who face extortion, domestic violence survivors, and LGBT people and members of ethnic minorities who face violence and discrimination. Youll need to be a confident traveler. ThisCentral Americancountry suffers from what many countries in the region have suffered from or are currently battling with namely corruption, gangs,anddrugs. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. People are frisked in Tegucigalpa on 26 November. Of course, being a woman anywhere is going to come with additional risk. Officials were called out to the main Wood Duck Recreation Area at around 4 p.m. on Tuesday to investigate a suspicious vehicle, a ccording to a release from the Sheriff's Office. Whilst many people DO live here, it doesnt mean Honduras is safe to live. We provide cash to help people meet basic needs. But Honduras is far from Eden. But this article is written for savvy travellers from the perspective of savvy travellers. After irregularities and delays, the trial of David Castillo, one of the men accused of planning the 2016 killing of environmental activist Berta Cceres, began in September 2020. 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. 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. Women in Guatemala: The New Faces of Extortion? This is when things can get sketchy. 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. With those come violenceandpoverty. But its pretty damn special too. Some victims of extortion said that the only thing that has changed is how the money is collected. As of August 2020, more than 21,000 people were detained in prisons with capacity for just under 11,000. The crime rates are improving and the government is putting a lot of effort into attracting more tourists. Almost 110,000 Hondurans were returned in 2019, mostly from Mexico. Honduras recorded 3,496 murders in 2020. I consent to my personal information being processed in accordance with The Broke Backpackers. Gangsplay a big part of life here. 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. Roatan RE/MAX Newsletter - security/safety/crime Many Hondurans dont have access toclean waterandmedical care. So how do they do it?. There's no avoiding violence in Honduras, even at home. You can definitely push your luck by staying in the wrong neighborhood as well. 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. This is an issue that has not been taken seriously by the Honduran state.. Read on for more detailed information on how to have a safe trip to Honduras. 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. 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. Well Public transportation can be alittle trickyin Honduras, and its not always safe. In the 2010s, Honduras' homicide rate skyrocketed, peaking in 2011 and slowly declining since. In 2018, the government created a special force to fight gangs (Fuerza Nacional Anti Maras y pandillas). This is apretty safe area to visit. We wouldnt recommend members of the LGBTQ+ community to visit Honduras unless theyre prepared to keep any sort of affection behind closed doors. Honduras Extends, Expands State of Emergency Meant to Fight Crime, 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. It also documented widespread mistreatment of people detained and arrested during the protests. Instead, buy an eSIM! Honduran women face daily struggles. Itcan be safe as a solo female traveler in Honduras. (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. 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. In neighboring El Salvador, President Nayib Bukele requested Congress grant him extraordinary powers after gangs were blamed for 62 killings on March 26, and that emergency decree has been renewed every month since then. Absent students, murdered teachers: Gang violence permeates Honduras And people do go. Plus theres Copan: the ancientMayanarchaeological site, complete with amazing sculptures. Since the end of the last decade, political protection has allowed the traditional drug trafficking groups to flourish. San Pedro Sula, Honduras, has been given the unfortunate title of the most dangerous city in the world. 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. People live here with children, by themselves, as couples, some retire here, and some people have even started up their own hostelsor otherbusinesses. In February 2020, it called on El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico to protect the rights of migrants and refugees to leave their country of origin, noting that asylum applications from Central America and Mexico grew 50-fold from 2012 to 2018. Patrick said the inmates were captured about 7:45 AM in downtown Newton. 'Impossible to escape': El Salvador unveils new mega-prison There are many daily newspapers in Honduras where that constantly provide the latest updated news and information. Journalists, environmental activists,lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals,and people with disabilities are among the groups targeted forviolence. Every 18 hours, a woman is a victim of a violent death. 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 Lots of travelers stick to bottled water,but please dont. Sign in How Gangs Control Honduras VICE News 8.42M subscribers. 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. Domestic and sexual violence are also widespread, with women and children bearing the brunt. Also in February, the OAS special rapporteur on freedom of expression called on Honduras to decriminalize defamation and to properly investigate killings of journalists. Since June, 2021 the United States has shared 6,088,590 safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine doses with the people of Honduras - free of cost. The government of Honduras is committed to attracting more tourists. 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. Weve covered the main safety concerns already, but there are a few more things to know. The primary drivers of this violence are gangs like the Barrio 18 and MS13, which concentrate their criminal activities in urban areas and recruit young people, many of whom are suffering from widespread economic inequality and a lack of opportunity. led to the detention of more than 2% of its adult population. But if youre thinking about it, here are some tips. There are definitely a fair few pros to solo travel. Close, Is Honduras Safe for Travel? There are private coach servicesthat connect cities and towns that are usually moremaintained and more comfortable than the chicken buses. Rights activists say young men are frequently arrested just based on their age, appearance or whether they live in a gang-dominated slum. Honduras, the narco-state that illustrates U.S. contradictions 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. Since 2017, the government has operated centers to support returned migrants. They forcibly recruit children and sexually abuse women, girls, and LGBT people. TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency to fight gang crimes like extortion. In fact, according toInSight Crime there has definitely been around a 26% drop in crime since 2016. But before arriving, the car stopped and the caravan split. 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. Efforts to reform public-security institutions have stalled. The measure must still be approved by Congress. Share this via Telegram Violent gang activity, such as extortion, violent street crime, rape, and narcotics and human trafficking, is widespread. Honduran people are friendly and welcoming. The vaccine doses arrived in the Honduran capital on October 4 2021. Shootings are very common in poorer areas too. Corruption, no supervision, and poor legislation have led to Latin American military weapons ending up in criminal hands. via REUTERS. Honduras Private Sector and Anti-Extortion Police: An Unholy Alliance? Investigating organized crime is an expensive and often risky enterprise. 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. They face violence from gangs, the national civil police and the military police, members of the public, and their own families, as well as extortion by gangs and discrimination in schools and in the workplace. Living in Honduras means youll have to adjust your life to the way of life here. 18th Street gang - Wikipedia Just in case, thats No quiero compartir el taxi.. Thats why we listed the no-go areas in Honduras below. The government had granted him protective measures in January 2019. However, if you decide to travel independently, youll face quite a few challenges. The question of Is Honduras Safe? will ALWAYS have a different answer depending on the parties involved. If you see any outdated information in this guide, we would really appreciate it if you could reach out in the comments below. The Supreme Court had upheld Romeros 10-year sentencein January 2020. It provided a family, a sense of belonging. 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. As of August, prisons had reported 1,700 confirmed Covid-19 cases and 38 deaths. Share this via Reddit Then there are quite a lot of gang wars 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. 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. The Inescapable Prison of Barrio 18 in Honduras, Death, Taxes, and Extortion: Why Latin American Companies Keep Paying Up, Timber Mafias - Preying on Latin Americas Forests, State and Community Responses to Extortion, A Mayor and a Wave of Narco Violence on Guatemala's Pacific, One Party, Many Crimes: The Case of Honduras National Party, Drug Trafficking and Political Protection in Paraguay: The Case of Cucho Cabaa, How Colombia Regulators Became Purveyors of Illegal Wood, The Logging Barons of Catacamas, Honduras, How Drug Cartels Moved into Illegal Logging in Mexico, Municipalities Fight Back in Guatemalas Gang-Preyed Upon Neighborhoods, How the Private Sector Helped Counter Rural Extortion in El Salvador. A woman is killed every 23 hours on average, the National Autonomous University of Honduras Violence Observatory reports. But you wont be (in a Honduran gang, that is). While homicide rates have dropped in recent years, Honduras is still the most dangerous country in the region, with 38 homicides per 100,000 people. Marred by corruption and abuse, the judiciary and police remain largely ineffective. The Bay Islands are the only palace in Honduras that can (kind of) be considered somewhat safe. It is honestly NOT safe to drink the water in Honduras. From 2011 to 2017, the number of killings in Honduras actually dropped, from 87 per 100,000 to 44. 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 . Honduras isnt exactly what wed callsafe. As the camera rolled, the police began stopping vehicles passing by in the background, running ID cards and frisking occupants. Migrant posing as minor who killed father of four that took him in gets The government bans emergency contraception, known as the morningafter pill, which can prevent pregnancy after rape, unprotected sex, or contraceptive failure.
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