It may have improved it actually. 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. But this article is written for savvy travellers from the perspective of savvy travellers. But if youre thinking about it, here are some tips. We can't put up any longer with workers being killed and paying extortion, Lanza said. It is important to know that Utila is very much a developed backpacker hotspot. It was Zelaya's intention to seek a second term that coup leaders. Chances are, if you are arriving via a cruise ship, you will be safe. Sign in How Gangs Control Honduras VICE News 8.42M subscribers. 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. Between December 2019, when prisons were placed under military control, and September 2020, 54 people died in eight prison incidents, the IACHR and OHCHR report. 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. The IACHR expressed concern in 2019 regarding the critical levels of impunity and inadequate and insufficient attention to victims of human rights violations. Latest News Profile Criminal Actors Investigations News Latest News I agree with Bukele and I want the same here. The government neither comprehensively protects the rights of children, including adolescents, nor ensures that they have access to basic services such as education and healthcare, the IACHR reported in 2019. So when it comes to safetyin Honduras, we think youllgenerallybe fine, especially in the Bay Islands. An eSIM works just like an app: you buy it, you download it, and BOOM! It suspends some Constitutional rights and gives police more powers to arrest and hold suspects. So backpacking Honduras isnt always just a breeze. Get the latest news about the IRC's innovative programs, compelling stories about our clients and how you can make a difference. Use these tips to reduce the risk, but we also recommend that you pack some medication fit for a bad stomach. Roatan is the more developed, more expensive, and family friendly big brother of Utila. Yery Noel Medina Ulloa of Honduras pleaded guilty . This Central American country actually has one of the highest murder rates in the world. Theres more nature here than you can shake a stick at. In April, Public Order Military Police (PMOP) officers severely beat three brothers and shot two of themone fatallyfor allegedly violating a curfew in El Paraso in order to sell bread. El Salvador and Honduras have been condemned by the "civilized" world. That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we dont believe are up to scratch. Honduras is one of the poorest countries in the Western hemisphere. Newton County Sheriff's Office was involved with . UNHCR; Posted 22 Dec 2022 Originally published 22 . The government has set up roadblocks, deployed security forces, and used violence to prevent people from leaving the country. For your trip to Honduras, our handy guide has you covered. STANTON COUNTY, Neb. 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. led to the detention of more than 2% of its adult population. msn back to msn home news Skip To Navigation The crime rates are improving and the government is putting a lot of effort into attracting more tourists. At the same time, we need to acknowledge that it will take time for systems to change, but families across Honduras cannot waitthey have immediate needs to be safe and secure. Keeping yourself away from any situation to do with them will be a good way to keep yourself pretty much safe. 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. There is no such thing as a perfect safety guide, and this article is no different. There are alsopassenger ferriesif you want to go totheBay Islands. The new code also includes alternatives to detention for low-level crimes, including partial prison sentences and penalties that allow for conditional release. Honduras isnt exactly what wed callsafe. 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. Dont eat at tourist traps. 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. This helps keep everyone in poverty. Half of underage pregnancies result from rape. Im nervous, repeated a young police officer driving a pickup truck crowded with heavily armed special forces officers. To make sure youre having a successful trip, weve listed the safest, and the no-go areas below. Thats why we listed the no-go areas in Honduras below. Some areas have increased risk. As of September 2020, the US had yet to begin deporting any third country nationals to Honduras under the agreement. Simple as that. The media and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) reported several cases of abusive police enforcement of the Covid-19 lockdown. Dont put yourself through that stress. And if youre visiting as part of a tour, then youre likely to stay safe. This new donation is in addition to the 81,900 doses of Pfizer . They forcibly recruit children and sexually abuse women, girls, and LGBT people. Domestic and sexual violence are also widespread, with women and children bearing the brunt. 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. Sign up to receive the latest updates from U.S News & World Report and our trusted partners and sponsors. There are probably more sketchy areas in Honduras than there are safe ones. Security Minister Oscar Alvarez says police have identified two suspects among the five attackers . Donate now to support the IRC's life-changing work in Honduras, across northern Central America, and worldwide. Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2020 was 36.33, a 13.52% decline from 2019. However, More than2 million touristsvisited in 2017. 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. It may not exactly be classed as safe, but Honduras shouldnt be ignored. Instead, buy an eSIM! The UNspecialrapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders called Honduras one of the most dangerous countries for human rights defenders in Latin America. Take theBay Islands,for example. 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. Dont drink the water without treating, and steer clear of ice cubes,too. The inmates, all from Honduras, had reportedly escaped custody yesterday in Scott County. Violent crime is at its peak in Honduras. The likelihood of you getting caught up in all that relies very much on you being somehow related to one of the gangs. Investigating organized crime is an expensive and often risky enterprise. 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. Hondurans are warm and welcoming people whohave to live day in, day out with the violence in their country. Lots of travelers stick to bottled water,but please dont. Over60% of the populationlive below the poverty line. The Gordon Ramsay Honduras Video Just last week the BBC affiliated chef published a video of Honduras. 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. And that is pretty cool. 2023, The Broke Backpacker. Here's a list of 14: 1. Marvin Damin Castro Molina, who, as part of the Coordination of the Southern Social Environmental Movement for Life, fought mining, agro-industry, and hydroelectric projects, was abducted and found dead in Choluteca in July 2020. In 2018, the government created a special force to fight gangs (Fuerza Nacional Anti Maras y pandillas). The first 2,000 inmates were transferred to El Salvador's new mega-prison for hardcore gangbangers. Nevertheless, the political gains to be had from emulating Bukeles hardline policies may be too enticing to pass up. 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. 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. 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. And what you had, you know, after the coup, while the U.S. did cut assistance, it was very. We wouldnt recommend members of the LGBTQ+ community to visit Honduras unless theyre prepared to keep any sort of affection behind closed doors. REUTERS/Fredy Rodriguez/File PhotoReuters. Many Hondurans dont have access toclean waterandmedical care. Investigations were underway at time of writing. Radio Globo directorDavid Romero, convicted of defamation in 2016, died in prison from Covid-19 in July. Members include officers from the police, the military, and the Attorneys General Office. ; Children and Adolescents - Honduras has the highest youth homicide rate in the world. One good thing I can say about Roatan is that the dive sites are excellent around the island. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Biodiversity is a huge part of Honduras. . 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. TEGUCIGALPA (Reuters) - Honduran authorities reported on Monday the discovery of more than 1.6 million coca leaf bushes in the most important. But before arriving, the car stopped and the caravan split. Honduras hasn't specified exactly what the state of emergency would entail, but normally such measures temporarily suspend normal rules regulating arrests and searches; sometime limits on freedom of speech and assembly are implemented as well. A law prohibiting same-sex couples from adopting childrentook effect in 2019. The government of Honduras is committed to attracting more tourists. TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency to fight gang crimes like extortion. It included provisions that appeared aimed at reducing penalties for politicians linked to organized crime, by lowering sentences for corruption and related offenses. It pays totravel smartin Honduras like ANYWHERE in the world. In 2014, the United Nations reported that 95 percent of cases of sexual violence and femicide in Honduras were never even investigated. 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. 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. Excessive use of force by police and deployment of the military in public security operations continued in 2020. Youll most likely get watered-down versions of Honduran food and Western stuff. So long as violence in Honduras continues without impunity, major displacement will persist in 2022. Its just better to have a local driver drive you around. The Newton Police Department has arrested three escaped inmates from Scott County, according to Newton police chief, Randy Patrick. There are private coach servicesthat connect cities and towns that are usually moremaintained and more comfortable than the chicken buses. Poor health infrastructure and limited access to sanitation services has contributed to the spread of the virus. Rights activists say young men are frequently arrested just based on their age, appearance or whether they live in a gang-dominated slum. Youre connected. In terms of murder rate, it's the second most violent country in Central or South America, trailing only Venezuela. But if the peace in the condemning nations were to rupture the way it has in El Salvador and Honduras, we can bet they . Wed,03/01/23-8:26AM, 3 Reads. You will have to agree on a pricebefore you get in. Nearly 3.3 million people, or one in three Hondurans, were experiencing crisis or worse levels of food insecurity by late 2021. 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. Pastor Daniel Pacheco told Los Angeles Times reporter Kate Linthicum, "I can ask them to leave the gang, but I don't have anything else to offer them. Every 18 hours, a woman is a victim of a violent death. To Desafio, the Barrio 18 gang in Honduras was everything. Its dangerous there.. You can too. Please support our mission investigating organized crime. Its not very safe to drive in Honduras. 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. Whilst many people DO live here, it doesnt mean Honduras is safe to live. At the same time, traveling alone can be stressful, boring, lonely, anddangerous in varying quantities. 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. Honduras is one of the Western Hemisphere's deadliest countries for journalists, with security forces representing their biggest threat, Reporters Without Borders noted in 2021. There is limited data on the effectiveness of the program in Honduras. In Honduras, one of the most violent countries in the world, 60 percent of deaths are attributed to organized crime. As world leaders met for the United Nations General Assembly, Latin American presidents expressed various concerns about organized crime. This includes 2,838,450 Pfizer doses and 3,250,140 Moderna doses. 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. The Newton Police Department has arrested three escaped inmates from Scott County, according to Newton police chief, Randy Patrick. 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. The police chief in Honduras reported 356 fewer homicides between Dec. 6, 2022 and Feb 20, 2023, compared to the period Dec. 6, 2021 to Feb. 20, 2022. When more cameras arrived, men were forced to take off their shirts so the police could inspect them for gang tattoos in front of the bright lights. 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. InSight Crime's 2022 Homicide Round-Up covers more countries than ever before, with a major expansion into nations of the Caribbean. Political power brokers also have ties to drug smuggling and have even run trafficking operations themselves. The IRC serves people and families in vulnerable situations or at increased risk for violence and displacement, including those who are uprooted by violence or returning after seeking safety in other countries. Your little ones get to see the Mesoamerican Reef,thesecond largest barrier reef in the world. World Nomads mission is to support and encourage travellers to explore their boundaries. How to tackle it is another issue. Transgender woman activist killed in Honduras Honduras has the misfortune of being situated between South American cocaine production and U.S. drug consumption. These are the safest islands: Once you get off the ferry in Utila you have officially entered an alternate reality. These drug trafficking gangs rule peoples lives. Violent organized crime continues to disrupt Honduran society and push many people to leave the country. And were not going to lie,Honduras doesnt exactly lend itself to solo travel. The storms, among other shocks, led to higher levels of food scarcity while weakening the states capacity to cope with displacement. TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency to fight gang crimes like extortion. 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. There are an estimated 115,000 gang members. In December 2018, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights found Honduras responsible for failing to investigate Hernndezs death. Gender-based violence in Honduras is also among the highest in the region and has increased during the pandemic. Thats mainly to visit islands like Roatan. Theres a huge problem with single-use plastics in the Earths water and you dont have any assurance whatsoever that your bottles will be properly disposed of, even if youre careful to sort them in the proper bin. The Newton Police Department has arrested three escaped inmates from Scott County, according to Newton police chief, Randy Patrick. Chances are it wasnt cooked with too much care. Chatting to them means getting first-hand knowledge, and means your experience is going to be a lot richer. That measure has proved popular among the public in El Salvador, and has resulted in the arrest of more than 56,000 people for alleged gang ties. We hope these measures work and remain in place.. Check in and let people know your plans. Violence: Honduras reached a . 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. ACNUR acoge con satisfaccin la aprobacin de la ley sobre desplazamiento interno en Honduras Format News and Press Release Source. Women - Honduras has the fifth-highest rate of violence against women in the world. The Bay Islands are the only palace in Honduras that can (kind of) be considered somewhat safe. There are definitely a fair few pros to solo travel. They are taxed by gangs. You should ask locals on the best routes to take to any given place. Earlier this year, Honduras appeared set to follow an example set by another neighbor, Nicaragua, whose community-based policing approach was for years hailed for maintaining exceptionally low crime rates and minimal gang presence until the government turned the police into a repressive force against the people amid widespread protests in 2018. The inmates, all from Honduras, had reportedly escaped custody yesterday in Scott County. But nongovernmental organizations have tallied several thousand human rights violations and at least 80 in-custody deaths of people arrested during the state of exception. A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic booooring. After a 2019 wave of gang violence that killed 37 detainees, President Hernndez declared a state of emergency and put prisons under military control. All of these are in Santa Barbara Department, which also sees hijackings aroundTela, La Ceiba, andEl Progresoas well asTrujillo. This helps keep everyone in poverty. This is an issue that has not been taken seriously by the Honduran state.. That means suncream, sun-hats, and limiting time in the sun. Certain routes that these take have been the target ofarmed attacks. Then there are quite a lot of gang wars as well. Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2017 was 40.98, a 26.23% decline from 2016. Other ways to share International Rescue Committee is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Subscribe. The poverty resulting from all this is what youll have to watch out for. As a result, humanitarian needs for food, health, nutrition and protection have increased. The effort comes amid complaints by business owners, the transportation sector and ordinary Hondurans that extortion by criminals has risen in recent months. Violence in Honduras is usually attributed to gangs and organised crime, but US federal prosecutors have implicated high-level politicians, the military and police in cocaine trafficking to the US . Sometimes the drivers are assaulted. For years, street gangs have charged protection money from bus and taxi drivers and store owners in Honduras, as in neighboring El Salvador. 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. All that in mind, there are places that expats dolive in Honduras. For years, street gangs have charged protection money from bus and taxi drivers and store owners in Honduras, as in neighboring El Salvador. They practice war taxing, which is essentially just demanding money from people. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). Nope. So youll likely escape having to pay war tax (or facing the consequences). Since 2020, the number of Hondurans in need of humanitarian assistance has more than doubled, while food insecurity has increased due to consecutive climate shocks, rising food prices and the economic impacts of COVID-19. Dont expect to discover an undeveloped private island. San Pedro Sula is the most dangerous city, not just in Honduras, but in the whole world. By BRENT MAZE. Public buildings, transportation, and information and communication services open to the public are not fully accessible to people with disabilities. Otherwise, thanks for your ear and stay safe! Some areas are also safer than others. The inmates, all from Honduras, had reportedly escaped custody yesterday in . 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. In Honduras, Police Accused Of Corruption, Killings Hernndez ran for reelection in 2017 a controversial move in Honduras. Womenand girls who terminate pregnancies face prison sentences of up to six years. 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. Theres a lot to learn about Honduras that goes beyond gangs and beaches. 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. So whilst its gettingsafer, its a slow process. Security forces committed abuses while enforcing a nationwide Covid-19 lockdown that President Juan Orlando Hernndez imposed in March. TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras -- Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency to fight gang crimes like extortion. City busestravel around the cities and towns themselves. All rights reserved. If we didnt have Bukeles example, we could probably look for some control and security responses based on strengthening institutions.. The new criminal code that came into effect in June 2020 includes new alternative sanctions to detention for some minor crimes that could help reduce the prison population. Honduras is exposed to other climate shocks as well. Violent organized crime continues to disrupt Honduran society and push many people to leave the country. Late Thursday, Nov. 24, Castro proposed a measure to limit constitutional rights so as to round up gang members. The story 6 gang members killed in Honduras prison was published by the Associated Press on 2022-07-04 18:29:24. The Supreme Court, particularly its president, exerts excessive control over the appointment and removal of judges, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights reported in 2019, and career instability limits judges independence. Classes were broadcast on television, radio, and online, in some cases with assignments sent via Whatsapp. 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. Honduras and theUS signed anasylum cooperative agreement in 2019, whereby Honduras agreed to receivenon-Honduran asylum-seekerstransferred by the US. There are many daily newspapers in Honduras where that constantly provide the latest updated news and information. 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. Gangs, particularly the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and the 18th Street Gang (Barrio 18), are considered to be largely responsible for Honduras murder rate, and are infamous for extortion and drug peddling. Xiomara should hurry up and go after all those gang members, said Isidora Varela, 70, at her market stand in downtown Tegucigalpa. REUTERS/Fredy Rodriguez/File Photo. Honduras. Share this via Twitter 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. 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. We are going to eradicate extortion in every corner of our country.. Share this via Email Youll get the, If youve got no locals to ask, just use your eyes. It has experienced one of the world's highest homicide rates, with multiple forms of violence linked to drug trafficking groups. Close, Is Honduras Safe for Travel? Here are three reasons the International Rescue Committees Emergency Watchlist ranks Honduras among 20 countries most at risk of worsening humanitarian crisis in 2022. Anyone else would do well with a trusted tour group. In the 2010s, Honduras' homicide rate skyrocketed, peaking in 2011 and slowly declining since. Lanza said drivers had been asking for a crackdown for years. The vaccine doses arrived in the Honduran capital on October 4 2021. If you are a keen diver, Roatan is well worth a visit.
