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Violent crime is at its peak in Honduras. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. People do it. Dont drink the water without treating, and steer clear of ice cubes,too. Security forces committed abuses while enforcing a nationwide Covid-19 lockdown that President Juan Orlando Hernndez imposed in March. 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 men remained missing at time of writing. Journalists, environmental activists,lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals,and people with disabilities are among the groups targeted forviolence. 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. Theres no reason to get mixed up with a gang in Honduras. Late Thursday, Honduran President Xiomara Castro proposed a measure to limit constitutional There are quite a few cute Airbnbs in Honduras, and as long as you stay in one of the safer neighborhoods, wed say that renting an Airbnb is perfectly safe. Well Public transportation can be alittle trickyin Honduras, and its not always safe. The island attracts a very different crowd indeed. You should ask locals on the best routes to take to any given place. San Pedro Sula - Wikipedia Allegations that senior politicians had been benefiting financially from the drug trade contributed to the unrest. (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. If you are a keen diver, Roatan is well worth a visit. And taxi driversprobably wont have enough change to cover a big bill, socarry small denominations. 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. We then verify, write and edit, providing the tools to generate real impact. A law prohibiting same-sex couples from adopting childrentook effect in 2019. El Salvador and Honduras's response to chaos Security experts are divided on how much the perception is the result of sensationalist media coverage, a real rise, a little of both or simply the continued expansion of a problem that has metastasized for two decades. For years, street gangs have charged protection money from bus and taxi drivers and store owners in Honduras, as in neighboring El Salvador. It has experienced one of the world's highest homicide rates, with multiple forms of violence linked to drug trafficking groups. Honduras is one of the murder capitals of the world. Honduras isnt a gay-friendly country, however, there are some movements that are going in the right direction. 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. While Honduras is not seeing the political armed conflict common in most Watchlist countries this year, criminal gang violence is widespread. These drug trafficking gangs rule peoples lives. These. The new criminal code decriminalized defamation, but retains other crimes of honorincluding insult and slanderwhich have been used to prosecute journalists in the past. For years, street gangs have charged protection money from bus and taxi drivers and store owners in Honduras, as in neighboring El Salvador. Use these tips to reduce the risk, but we also recommend that you pack some medication fit for a bad stomach. He estimated the companies and drivers have paid an average of about $10 million per month to the gangs in order to operate. Check in and let people know your plans. Dont expect to discover an undeveloped private island. 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 crime rate & statistics for 2020 was 36.33, a 13.52% decline from 2019. 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. Part 1: Cycles of violence in Honduras - Doctors Without Borders People here live in pretty supreme poverty 60%of the population living in poverty really isa lot of people. The crime rates are improving and the government is putting a lot of effort into attracting more tourists. In 2018, the last year for which statistics are available, 60 percent of perpetrators were domestic partners. Its just that easy. The rate of young people killing other young people is down to twomain gangs:Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) andBarrio 18. Whilst many people DO live here, it doesnt mean Honduras is safe to live. 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. Gangs exercise territorial control over neighborhoods and extort residents throughout the country. At the same time, traveling alone can be stressful, boring, lonely, anddangerous in varying quantities. https://t.co/xQGbbyZXXv. Share this via Printer, As More Climate Chaos Looms, Slashing Fossil Fuels Is Key. Honduras declared a state of exception as extortion cases rise, suspending constitutional rights in cities and deploying thousands of troops. According to the U.N., Honduras has the highest femicide rate in the world. Investigations were underway at time of writing. Many people do travel to this particular part of Honduras,even with their families. So. 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. Over60% of the populationlive below the poverty line. Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency against gang crimes like extortion. Since 2012, the Honduran police have implemented a program sponsored by the US Department of State called Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT) which aims to discourage youth crime and gang recruitment. We provide specialized support for survivors of gender-based violence; create safe spaces for women, youth and the LGBTQ+ community; and also offer psychosocial counseling and social work support. The vaccine doses arrived in the Honduran capital on October 4 2021. Homicides in Honduras | Association for a More Just Society A quarter of women and girls become pregnant before turning 18the second-highest rate in Latin America. Honduras has freed dozens of individuals tied to organized crime a year after reforming its money laundering law. His security-at-all costs approach, and the reductions in violence and crime that have come with it, have found a captive audience in Honduras, but caused consternation among civil society, and closed down discussion of other options. Patrick said the inmates were captured about 7:45 AM in downtown Newton. Honduras declares state of emergency against gang crime | AP News According to a State Department report last year, there are up to 10,000 gang members in Honduras, a country with roughly 8 million people. Especiallythrough a tour company. Honduras, the narco-state that illustrates U.S. contradictions Theyve been doing it since 2002 protecting, connecting, and inspiring independent travellers just like you. Locals have to pay war taxes which keeps the poverty rate high as well. It provided a family, a sense of belonging. Sometimes the drivers are assaulted. Climate, violence, and Honduran migration to the United States - Brookings This new donation is in addition to the 81,900 doses of Pfizer . Honduras, long one of the poorest countries in Latin America, is now also among the most violent and crime-ridden. 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. Honduras is exposed to other climate shocks as well. Patrick said the inmates were captured about 7:45 AM in downtown Newton. Violent organized crime continues to disrupt Honduran society and push many people to leave the country. Honduras: Freedom in the World 2022 Country Report | Freedom House The rate of young people killing other young people is down to two main gangs : Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and Barrio 18. Wed classify it as generally hazardous. But travelers DO take these buses. 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. There is only anecdotal evidence of the scale of the problem because so few extortion victims report the crime, making a statistical analysis impossible. Honduras Private Sector and Anti-Extortion Police: An Unholy Alliance? Individuals and state agents continute to threaten and attack journalists, press freedom groups report. The most extensive database on organized crime in the Americas. "Today at dawn, in a single operation, we transferred the first 2,000 gang . document.getElementById("ak_js_2").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This website uses cookies to improve your experience. You can too. Because of human rights, crime has gone on so long, because human rights defend the criminal, and it shouldnt be like that, she said. 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. 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. In Honduras, the types of danger include, but are not limited to, violent gang activity, trafficking, rape, street crime and armed robbery. But it was not a tremor, nor a tsunami. Corruption, fear of retribution, and limited access to essential health services . Two private security officers were charged. In June, police detained and beat bus drivers who were allegedly protesting not being able to work due to lockdown restrictions. Honduras. UNHCR; Posted 22 Dec 2022 Originally published 22 . Then there are quite a lot of gang wars as well. There are alsopassenger ferriesif you want to go totheBay Islands. 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. The government has set up roadblocks, deployed security forces, and used violence to prevent people from leaving the country. The criminal justice system regularly fails to hold those responsible for homicides to account. So long as violence in Honduras continues without impunity, major displacement will persist in 2022. International Rescue Committee is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. It can get SUPER hot in Honduras. A woman is killed every 23 hours on average, the National Autonomous University of Honduras Violence Observatory reports. Ex-Honduras president's arrest puts US war on drugs into focus While there were a few violent crime incidents, most travelers have a safe and pleasant stay. But its pretty damn special too. Overcrowding, inadequate nutrition, poor sanitation, beatings, intra-gang violence, and detainee killings are endemic in prisons. Access to health care services was a concern in Honduras prior to the pandemic, particularly for rural and economically marginalized communities. 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. Gang wars and fights with the police are common in this city. They are taxed by gangs. Youll most likely get watered-down versions of Honduran food and Western stuff. if youre visiting Honduras, you will have to avoid this city completely. 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. So keep that in mind and have a read of our safety tips for solo female travelers thinking of taking a trip to Honduras. Not really. Safety and security - Honduras travel advice - GOV.UK Honduras and theUS signed anasylum cooperative agreement in 2019, whereby Honduras agreed to receivenon-Honduran asylum-seekerstransferred by the US. 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. Gangs control areas within the same communities,. 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. Sat Navs might not always tell you the best route. Here, you will find safety knowledge and advice for travelling Honduras. Planning a safe trip to Honduras can get quite overwhelming. If you see any outdated information in this guide, we would really appreciate it if you could reach out in the comments below. February 18 2022 Receive free Honduras updates We'll send you a myFT Daily Digest email rounding up the latest Honduras news every morning. In 2014, the United Nations reported that 95 percent of cases of sexual violence and femicide in Honduras were never even investigated. Honduras: The fear of kidnapping does not stop the exodus from a Taxis areall over the placein Honduras. Women in Guatemala: The New Faces of Extortion? 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. Honduras, long one of the poorest countries in Latin America, is now also among the most violent and crime-ridden. Country Summary: Violent crime, such as homicide and armed robbery, is common. Not all U.S. presidents are missed once they leave the White House. Sign up for our newsletter and get the best travel tips delivered right to your inbox. For now, there are 15,000 taxis who want your attention. Stay informed daily on the latest news and advice on COVID-19 from the editors at U.S. News & World Report. Dangers of Travel to Honduras | USA Today Juan Orlando Hernndez extolled his achievements as. Honduras Extends, Expands State of Emergency for Second Time Nevertheless, the political gains to be had from emulating Bukeles hardline policies may be too enticing to pass up. Of course, while it's not ever good to generalize an. Theres alsoLa Ceiba. 14 Problems Hondurans Face Today - Forbes Your little ones get to see the Mesoamerican Reef,thesecond largest barrier reef in the world. This helps keep everyone in poverty. That being said, its still one of the murder capitals in the world, so if youre an inexperienced travellers, you wont be safe. REUTERS/Fredy Rodriguez/File Photo. This is due to negotiationsbetween criminal groups and the government, and possibly because of economic aid from the US. Most dangerous city: San Pedro Sula, Honduras - Boston.com Share this via LinkedIn Youll get the, If youve got no locals to ask, just use your eyes. Honduras deploys soldiers on anti-crime patrols La Ceibaon the northern coast, with mountains, jungles, and beaches, is a chilled and adventurous area to explore. Here's a list of 14: 1. Clearly, with the pandemic, that goal wasnt reached, but its not been forgotten either. As world leaders met for the United Nations General Assembly, Latin American presidents expressed various concerns about organized crime. But traveling there is possible, of course. 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. News & Events - U.S. Embassy in Honduras A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic booooring. City busestravel around the cities and towns themselves. There is limited data on the effectiveness of the program in Honduras. The inmates, all from Honduras, had reportedly escaped custody yesterday in . Enjoy your travels! The question of Is Honduras Safe? will ALWAYS have a different answer depending on the parties involved. 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. In June 2020, a new criminal code came into effect. The effort comes amid complaints by business owners, the transportation sector and ordinary Hondurans that extortion by criminals has risen in recent months. Theres a lot to learn about Honduras that goes beyond gangs and beaches. 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. So backpacking Honduras isnt always just a breeze. Dont hitchhike ortake lifts from strangers , Other ways to meet fellow travelers and. 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. At nighttime, you should really get a taxi. Newton County Sheriff's Office was involved with . TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency to fight gang crimes like extortion. To Desafio, the Barrio 18 gang in Honduras was everything. 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. This year a crew member of a cruise ship was murdered on Roatan and that combined with the mainland of the country being used by cartels as part of the drug pipeline to the U.S., plus the current immigration crisis on the U.S. border all together add up to bad press for the country of Honduras. For years, street gangs have charged protection money from bus and taxi drivers and store owners in Honduras, as in neighboring El Salvador. Chances are, if you are arriving via a cruise ship, you will be safe. With all the threats of violence, theres alow number of tourists, so oddly you can really have anauthentic experiencehere while getting to know Honduran women, too. This Central American country actually has one of the highest murder rates in the world. Its better for the environment and ends up being more economical in the long run. Travel smart and make sure your safety and security is your number one priority. There are an estimated 115,000 gang members. All that in mind, there are places that expats dolive in Honduras. 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.