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. Following domestic and international criticism, the government backtracked and a week later re-established constitutional free speech guarantees. 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. 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. Judges continue to face interference, including political pressure, threats, and harassment, from the executive branch, private actors with connections to government, and organized crime. It was Zelaya's intention to seek a second term that coup leaders. Suddenly you find yourself surrounded by backpackers, dive shops, hostels, burger shacks, smoothie stands, and pirate bars. Use these tips to reduce the risk, but we also recommend that you pack some medication fit for a bad stomach. An audit of government purchases of medical supplies to fight Covid-19 revealed supplies worth tens of millions of dollars had gone missing. Patrick said the inmates were captured about 7:45 AM in downtown Newton. Members of the military police of public order get ready during a special operation in Tegucigalpa on 6 December. The number one network in cable, FNC has been the most-watched television news channel for 18 consecutive years. Sat Navs might not always tell you the best route. Already vulnerable people in Honduras live in an evolving humanitarian crisis, says IRC protection coordinator Zuleyma Chahin. 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. Of course, being a woman anywhere is going to come with additional risk. Latest News Profile Criminal Actors Investigations News Latest News You basically pay for safety, but better safe than sorry wed say. Investigating organized crime is an expensive and often risky enterprise. Stay informed daily on the latest news and advice on COVID-19 from the editors at U.S. News & World Report. 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. Keeping yourself away from any situation to do with them will be a good way to keep yourself pretty much safe. The government had granted him protective measures in January 2019. Many women are choosing to flee the violence in their communities. In April, the office expressed concern regarding accusations of excesive use of force by state security agents enforcing the governments Covid-19 restrictions. It was focused on the security, or lack of security in Honduras. A law prohibiting same-sex couples from adopting childrentook effect in 2019. The inmates, all from Honduras, had reportedly escaped custody yesterday in . 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. There are alsopassenger ferriesif you want to go totheBay Islands. By clicking submit, you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy. But before arriving, the car stopped and the caravan split. All that in mind, there are places that expats dolive in Honduras. Share this via Email Were not going to say its thesafest place to travel,nor is it going to be the easiestplace to travel as a solo female. People do it. Also in February, the OAS special rapporteur on freedom of expression called on Honduras to decriminalize defamation and to properly investigate killings of journalists. El Salvador and Honduras have been condemned by the "civilized" world. Weve covered the main safety concerns already, but there are a few more things to know. 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. In 2014, the United Nations reported that 95 percent of cases of sexual violence and femicide in Honduras were never even investigated. It provided a family, a sense of belonging. The inmates, all from Honduras, had reportedly escaped custody yesterday in Scott County. 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. FILE PHOTO: Police raid a house after Honduras' President Xiomara Castro (not pictured) mobilised . Violence has long ruled here. In September, the OHCHR and IACHR expressed concern regarding the continued spread of the virus in prisons. Alongside her husband, Sasha, she co-founded the. The IRC is calling for stronger international cooperation to address the humanitarian crisis that displaces hundreds of thousands from Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala every year. 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. Police raid a house in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, on 8 December. Honduras is one of the murder capitals of the world. However, if you decide to travel independently, youll face quite a few challenges. 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. 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. So no. For years, street gangs have charged protection money from bus and taxi drivers and store owners in Honduras, as in neighboring El Salvador. And there are roads that have higher levels ofattacks,including carjacking. Corruption, poor governance, and. Sign up to receive the latest updates from U.S News & World Report and our trusted partners and sponsors. In Honduras, one of the most violent countries in the world, 60 percent of deaths are attributed to organized crime. Heres what you need to know about the growing crisis in Honduras. Activistssaythegovernments Mechanism for the Protection of Journalists, Human Rights Defenders and Operators of Justice, created in 2015, lacks uniform criteria and is ineffective. As world leaders met for the United Nations General Assembly, Latin American presidents expressed various concerns about organized crime. Human rights defenders have said they will monitor the measures. Honduras, long one of the poorest countries in Latin America, is now also among the most violent and crime-ridden. 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 gangs amid high levels of violence. Half of underage pregnancies result from rape. So keep that in mind and have a read of our safety tips for solo female travelers thinking of taking a trip to Honduras. Get a quote below or read our in-depth review! The question of Is Honduras Safe? will ALWAYS have a different answer depending on the parties involved. In these demonstrations, more than 1,500 were arrested and30 people were killed. Women in Guatemala: The New Faces of Extortion? It is important to know that Utila is very much a developed backpacker hotspot. While there were a few violent crime incidents, most travelers have a safe and pleasant stay. 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. 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. The vaccine doses arrived in the Honduran capital on October 4 2021. As of August 2020, more than 21,000 people were detained in prisons with capacity for just under 11,000. In terms of murder rate, it's the second most violent country in Central or South America, trailing only Venezuela. Individuals and state agents continute to threaten and attack journalists, press freedom groups report. Radio Globo directorDavid Romero, convicted of defamation in 2016, died in prison from Covid-19 in July. There is no such thing as a perfect safety guide, and this article is no different. As expected, the video went viral and the local newspapers made sure they put this trusted news source on their front page. Every dollar supports our mission. Often, people with disabilities are threatened and subjected to extortion by criminal gangs. It suspends some Constitutional rights and gives police more powers to arrest and hold suspects. Get your accommodation to either recommenda good company or just book one for you. It may not exactly be classed as safe, but Honduras shouldnt be ignored. 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. This is when things can get sketchy. The MS13 and Barrio 18 street gangs control urban neighborhoods in the countrys two major cities Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula and rural towns close to the border with El Salvador. So whilst its gettingsafer, its a slow process. And Honduras has been struggling to build representative democracy, to fight corruption and crime. Police were allegedly in the area when private security forces opened fired against several families but did not help the victims, witnesses told the press. Its just that easy. So far, the state of exception in Honduras has produced some arrests and forced the gangs and other criminal groups to keep a lower profile. Living in Honduras means youll have to adjust your life to the way of life here. Gender-based violence in Honduras is also among the highest in the region and has increased during the pandemic. Make sure to check the reviews from previous travellers to check for any problems during their stay. And theyre generally safe. Honduras recorded 3,496 murders in 2020. This rule especially goes at night. Nevertheless, the political gains to be had from emulating Bukeles hardline policies may be too enticing to pass up. Overcrowding, inadequate nutrition, poor sanitation, beatings, intra-gang violence, and detainee killings are endemic in prisons. Garza is wanted in Honduras for homicide. Security forces committed abuses while enforcing a nationwide Covid-19 lockdown that President Juan Orlando Hernndez imposed in March. We hope these measures work and remain in place.. Thats why weve listed and answered the most frequently asked questions on safety in Honduras. Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2019 was 42.01, a 7.91% increase from 2018. 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. In fact, most people in Honduras have a family member in a gang. These are pretty safe. Some victims of extortion said that the only thing that has changed is how the money is collected. 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. With those come violenceandpoverty. Check in and let people know your plans. 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. Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2017 was 40.98, a 26.23% decline from 2016. Many people do travel to this particular part of Honduras,even with their families. 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. And that is pretty cool. 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. In 2013, Honduras reformed the penal code to recognize femicide as a crime. I believe that [Bukeles] leadership is increasing, because the tendency of the Bukele government is to become Central American, and to exercise leadership in all of Central America, said Moreno. And this area is great for children. Planning a safe trip to Honduras can get quite overwhelming. The data was compiled by Citizen Council for Public Security, Justice, and Peace, a Mexican. The Supreme Court had upheld Romeros 10-year sentencein January 2020. Honduras Private Sector and Anti-Extortion Police: An Unholy Alliance? 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. For your trip to Honduras, our handy guide has you covered. It may have improved it actually. Lucky for you,youre not a Honduran citizen. Share this via Twitter Heres how to not get ill whilst trying local delights. Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2020 was 36.33, a 13.52% decline from 2019. Journalists, environmental activists, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT). 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. That said, the governmentclaimsthere has been a 52%decreasein violent crime over the past five years. 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. InSight Crime's 2022 Homicide Round-Up covers more countries than ever before, with a major expansion into nations of the Caribbean. Some areas have increased risk. 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. And for transparencys sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. Honduras may have one of the highest murder rates in the world, and as a solo female traveler, that doesnt sound very inviting as a destination. Gracias a Dios Department due to crime. And taxi driversprobably wont have enough change to cover a big bill, socarry small denominations. Dont drink the water without treating, and steer clear of ice cubes,too. 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. Not really. How to tackle it is another issue. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. The criminal justice system regularly fails to hold those responsible for homicides to account. In Honduras, the types of danger include, but are not limited to, violent gang activity, trafficking, rape, street crime and armed robbery. (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. We get it. 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. Share this via Reddit We wouldnt recommend members of the LGBTQ+ community to visit Honduras unless theyre prepared to keep any sort of affection behind closed doors. Lots of travelers stick to bottled water,but please dont. And if youre visiting as part of a tour, then youre likely to stay 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. Well Public transportation can be alittle trickyin Honduras, and its not always safe. Honduras has the misfortune of being situated between South American cocaine production and U.S. drug consumption. 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. Honduras is one of the poorest countries in the Western hemisphere. 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. In September, two men shot and killed journalist Luis Alonzo Almendares in Comayagua. 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. The law also sanctions abortion providers. Look and see where locals are eating. 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. 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. msn back to msn home news Skip To Navigation 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. Corruption, no supervision, and poor legislation have led to Latin American military weapons ending up in criminal hands. This is due to negotiationsbetween criminal groups and the government, and possibly because of economic aid from the US. Violence: Honduras reached a . Of the 6,088,590 vaccine doses, 100% were donated in partnership with COVAX. But traveling there is possible, of course. 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. Close, Is Honduras Safe for Travel? Honduran soldiers wearing facemasks guard the entrance to the city of San Pedro Sula during the coronavirus crisis on April 17, 2020. Efforts to reform public-security institutions have stalled. 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. But if you meet the local ladies andlearn about their livesyoure going to have a VERY enriching experience on your hands. document.getElementById("ak_js_2").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This website uses cookies to improve your experience. While Honduras is not seeing the political armed conflict common in most Watchlist countries this year, criminal gang violence is widespread. 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. Then there are quite a lot of gang wars as well. Honduras newspaper, TV channel news, online portal news, and magazine sites are getting popularity day by day around the world. Wed classify it as generally hazardous. Its dangerous there.. Allegations that senior politicians had been benefiting financially from the drug trade contributed to the unrest. The violence is carried out by local drug trafficking groups, gangs, corrupt security forces and transnational criminal organizations mainly from Mexico and Colombia.
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