Gang violence is widespread in and around urban areas. In June 2020, a new criminal code came into effect. That means getting used to gangs, violence, and corruption. Close, Is Honduras Safe for Travel? San Pedro Sula, Honduras, has been given the unfortunate title of the most dangerous city in the world. 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. How Gangs Control Honduras - YouTube 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. Again, thank you! There is an expat community inTrujillo. 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. How to tackle it is another issue. If youre not on a highwayyoull probably need a 44. With just 39% of the population fully vaccinated as of December 2021, the health risks associated with the pandemic will remain a concern long into 2022. To make sure youre having a successful trip, weve listed the safest, and the no-go areas below. But it has not yet resulted in an increase in police reports a key measure of public trust. This has a pretty good expat community too. Ex-Honduras president's arrest puts US war on drugs into focus City busestravel around the cities and towns themselves. It submitted the case to the court in April 2019 due to Honduras lack of compliance with its recommendations, such as introducing comprehensive policies to map and prevent anti-LGBT violence and designing training programs on anti-LGBT violence for state security bodies. 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. International Rescue Committee is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. More than half of detained men and two-thirds of detained women were in pretrial detention. Honduras and theUS signed anasylum cooperative agreement in 2019, whereby Honduras agreed to receivenon-Honduran asylum-seekerstransferred by the US. Honduras newspaper, TV channel news, online portal news, and magazine sites are getting popularity day by day around the world. Classes were broadcast on television, radio, and online, in some cases with assignments sent via Whatsapp. Especiallythrough a tour company. Some are deprived of full legal capacity and are institutionalized in different settings, including psychiatric hospitals. The country has the second-highest rate of femicidedefined as the killing of a woman by a man because of her genderin Latin America, the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean reports. Although there is a law that provides higher penalties for bias-based crimes, including on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity, the Attorney Generals office told Human Rights Watch in September 2020 that no one has been convicted under the law. 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. I consent to my personal information being processed in accordance with The Broke Backpackers. Investigations were underway at time of writing. Theres alsoLa Ceiba. Chances are, if you are arriving via a cruise ship, you will be safe. 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. As dusk fell, a helicopter hovered menacingly over a dusty football field where several hundred police officers stood in formation, waiting for the clock to strike six and the imposition of a state of exception partially suspending constitutional guarantees in Honduras. Violent organized crime continues to disrupt Honduran society and push many people to leave the country. Namely, being robbed. Naturally, youre going to be wondering, Is Honduras safe? That is why we have created this insiders guide looking at the safety of travelers in Honduras. In 2014, the United Nations reported that 95 percent of cases of sexual violence and femicide in Honduras were never even investigated. 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. Country Summary: Violent crime, such as homicide and armed robbery, is common. Former president of Honduras makes initial appearance in US - CNN Stay informed daily on the latest news and advice on COVID-19 from the editors at U.S. News & World Report. Honduran women face daily struggles. 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. Will Honduras Win The Fight Against Corruption? - Forbes Honduras is exposed to other climate shocks as well. Dont eat at tourist traps. Honduras isnt a gay-friendly country, however, there are some movements that are going in the right direction. Honduras - AP NEWS 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. A ferry also runs betweenTrujilloandGuanaja. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Biodiversity is a huge part of Honduras. 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. 1 Million Migrants Fled Honduras for the U.S. Under Juan - Newsweek Just in case, thats No quiero compartir el taxi.. Were not going to say its thesafest place to travel,nor is it going to be the easiestplace to travel as a solo female. It was focused on the security, or lack of security in Honduras. The US is losing allies in Latin America just as production of cocaine, fentanyl, and other synthetic drugs is going through the roof. In fact, according toInSight Crime there has definitely been around a 26% drop in crime since 2016. 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. Latest News Profile Criminal Actors Investigations News Latest News Honduras: The fear of kidnapping does not stop the exodus from a Impunity for human rights abuses, violent crime, and corruption remains the norm, even as the prison population has mushroomed. https://t.co/xQGbbyZXXv. Honduras, in general, is open and welcoming to children. We wouldnt recommend members of the LGBTQ+ community to visit Honduras unless theyre prepared to keep any sort of affection behind closed doors. Crisis in Honduras: Ongoing violence and climate shocks So, yeah. It was Zelaya's intention to seek a second term that coup leaders. This coastal city is more welcoming togringos than other places and features beaches fringed bycoral reefsand theres a lot of new development happening here. Also in February, the OAS special rapporteur on freedom of expression called on Honduras to decriminalize defamation and to properly investigate killings of journalists. Inside Honduras' most dangerous gangs 127,396 views Mar 8, 2020 1.2K Dislike Share Save Sky News 5.19M subscribers Warning: this report contains blurred images of dead bodies which some viewers. It also documented widespread mistreatment of people detained and arrested during the protests. Gracias a Dios Department due to crime. Chances are it wasnt cooked with too much care. Enjoy your travels! In terms of murder rate, it's the second most violent country in Central or South America, trailing only Venezuela. Lanza said drivers had been asking for a crackdown for years. Almost 110,000 Hondurans were returned in 2019, mostly from Mexico. Marred by corruption and abuse, the judiciary and police remain largely ineffective. Not all U.S. presidents are missed once they leave the White House. 2 Norfolk men allegedly killed, planned to eat American Bald Eagle 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. And Honduras has been struggling to build representative democracy, to fight corruption and crime. Drug trafficking gangs, corruption, and extreme poverty keep Honduras down. An illegal immigrant from Honduras was sentenced to 60 years in prison Friday for the killing of a Florida man in Jacksonville in 2021, prosecutors said. This helps keep everyone in poverty. Honduras declared a state of exception as extortion cases rise, suspending constitutional rights in cities and deploying thousands of troops. Womenand girls who terminate pregnancies face prison sentences of up to six years. People live here with children, by themselves, as couples, some retire here, and some people have even started up their own hostelsor otherbusinesses. Garza is wanted in Honduras for homicide. 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. Gangsters killed Maria's sister in Honduras. A note on the door told Close to 1 million migrants fled Honduras for the U.S. border over the eight-year tenure of former President Juan Orlando Hernndez, now facing drug trafficking charges after being arrested. The data was compiled by Citizen Council for Public Security, Justice, and Peace, a Mexican. Then there are quite a lot of gang wars as well. 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. By clicking submit, you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy. InSight Crime's 2022 Homicide Round-Up covers more countries than ever before, with a major expansion into nations of the Caribbean. This rule especially goes at night. Established in 2016 by the government and the Organization of American States (OAS), theMACCIHcontributed to the prosecution of 133 people, including congresspeople and senior officials, 14 of whom faced criminal trials. A . Newton County Sheriff's Office was involved with . Its better for the environment and ends up being more economical in the long run. So. Lucky for you,youre not a Honduran citizen. Part 1: Cycles of violence in Honduras - Doctors Without Borders 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. Its just that easy. At the same time, traveling alone can be stressful, boring, lonely, anddangerous in varying quantities. Honduras: Freedom in the World 2022 Country Report | Freedom House Violent gang activity, such as extortion, violent street crime, rape, and narcotics and human trafficking, is widespread. El Salvador and Honduras's response to chaos Rights activists say young men are frequently arrested just based on their age, appearance or whether they live in a gang-dominated slum. Efforts to reform public-security institutions have stalled. This includes 2,838,450 Pfizer doses and 3,250,140 Moderna doses. Theyre old U.S. school buses that are poorly maintained,andovercrowded. Support focuses primarily on reintegration into the labor market, rather than assistance for people who fled seeking international protection. TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency to fight gang crimes like extortion. 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. Honduras Private Sector and Anti-Extortion Police: An Unholy Alliance? 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. Honduras Extends, Expands State of Emergency Meant to Fight Crime We are all about smart travel and were here to help you travel smart too. Honduras has freed dozens of individuals tied to organized crime a year after reforming its money laundering law. For years, street gangs have charged protection money from bus and taxi drivers and store owners in Honduras, as in neighboring El Salvador. 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. Wed say only experienced, intrepid travelers should tackle this one alone. Jesse Watters: Buying mace in Manhattan is almost as hard as getting a gun. How Gangs Control Honduras - YouTube 0:00 / 11:46 Sign in to confirm your age This video may be inappropriate for some users. TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras -- Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency to fight gang crimes like extortion. Not really. Its not a good idea to go out to bars and clubs by yourself. The media and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) reported several cases of abusive police enforcement of the Covid-19 lockdown. 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. crime | Honduras News In 2018, the last year for which statistics are available, 60 percent of perpetrators were domestic partners. Get a quote below or read our in-depth review! Honduras - United States Department of State For years, street gangs have charged protection money from bus and taxi drivers and store owners in Honduras, as in neighboring El Salvador. An audit of government purchases of medical supplies to fight Covid-19 revealed supplies worth tens of millions of dollars had gone missing. As of August, prisons had reported 1,700 confirmed Covid-19 cases and 38 deaths. The UNspecialrapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders called Honduras one of the most dangerous countries for human rights defenders in Latin America. On 24 November, Hondurass leftwing president, Xiomara Castro, declared war on extortion a very real problem that causes economic stagnation, fuels violence and forces countless Hondurans to flee the country. Gender-based violence in Honduras is also among the highest in the region and has increased during the pandemic. Prisons saw significant Covid-19 outbreaks. In Honduras, the types of danger include, but are not limited to, violent gang activity, trafficking, rape, street crime and armed robbery. Honduras - Organized Crime News - InSight Crime From 2011 to 2017, the number of killings in Honduras actually dropped, from 87 per 100,000 to 44. The Newton Police Department has arrested three escaped inmates from Scott County, according to Newton police chief, Randy Patrick. 20 Top Safety Tips for Traveling to Honduras. 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.. 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. We strive to provide the most relevant travel information on the web and always appreciate input from our readers (nicely, please!). The rate of young people killing other young people is down to two main gangs : Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and Barrio 18. Climate, violence, and Honduran migration to the United States - Brookings The IACHR expressed concern in 2019 regarding the critical levels of impunity and inadequate and insufficient attention to victims of human rights violations. Reaching primary sources and getting the real story involve extensive fieldwork. via REUTERS. 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. Every dollar supports our mission. Estimates of the number of active gang members range from 5,000 to 40,000. TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency to fight gang crimes like extortion. 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. Xiomara should hurry up and go after all those gang members, said Isidora Varela, 70, at her market stand in downtown Tegucigalpa. Honduran soldiers wearing facemasks guard the entrance to the city of San Pedro Sula during the coronavirus crisis on April 17, 2020. Nevertheless, the political gains to be had from emulating Bukeles hardline policies may be too enticing to pass up. Every 18 hours, a woman is a victim of a violent death. As world leaders met for the United Nations General Assembly, Latin American presidents expressed various concerns about organized crime. 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 . It may not exactly be classed as safe, but Honduras shouldnt be ignored. People are frisked in Tegucigalpa on 26 November. 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. But Honduras is far from Eden. Violence in Honduras | Association for a More Just Society So when it comes to safetyin Honduras, we think youllgenerallybe fine, especially in the Bay Islands. This is when things can get sketchy. Honduras, long one of the poorest countries in Latin America, is now also among the most violent and crime-ridden. The Newton Police Department has arrested three escaped inmates from Scott County, according to Newton police chief, Randy Patrick.