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. Already vulnerable people in Honduras live in an evolving humanitarian crisis, says IRC protection coordinator Zuleyma Chahin. Everyone from children to adults are recruited. Rights activists say young men are frequently arrested just based on their age, appearance or whether they live in a gang-dominated slum. The mission in early December was ostensibly to raid a casa loca, an abandoned home used by gang members. The Belize Under-19 Women's National Team (U-19 BWNT) is travelling to Tegucigalpa, Honduras, on Friday, March 3 to compete in the 2023 Central American Football Union (UNCAF) FIFA Forward Under . In January 2020, the OHCHR released a report saying that the armed forces and military police had used excessiveeven lethalforce in response to the protests that followed the 2017 election. But if youre thinking about it, here are some tips. Former president of Honduras makes initial appearance in US - CNN Gang violence is a big issue in Honduras. So no. Newton County Sheriff's Office was involved with . Again, thank you! Abortionisillegalin Honduras in all circumstances. Just in case, thats No quiero compartir el taxi.. Wed classify it as generally hazardous. REUTERS/Fredy Rodriguez/File PhotoReuters. 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. There are many daily newspapers in Honduras where that constantly provide the latest updated news and information. In the 2010s, Honduras' homicide rate skyrocketed, peaking in 2011 and slowly declining since. The US is losing allies in Latin America just as production of cocaine, fentanyl, and other synthetic drugs is going through the roof. 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. The government of Honduras is committed to attracting more tourists. The government has set up roadblocks, deployed security forces, and used violence to prevent people from leaving the country. ThisCentral Americancountry suffers from what many countries in the region have suffered from or are currently battling with namely corruption, gangs,anddrugs. Honduras Reports 'Historic' Coca Seizure | Breaking News App by Shore People here live in pretty supreme poverty 60%of the population living in poverty really isa lot of people. But the removal of military officers from an anti-gang taskforce resulted in a messy divorce that temporarily reduced the units already limited capacity opening a window for criminals and before the community policing model could have any effect, the political pressure to take decisive action against extortion boiled over. It pays totravel smartin Honduras like ANYWHERE in the world. To make sure youre having a successful trip, weve listed the safest, and the no-go areas below. We hope these measures work and remain in place.. You will have to agree on a pricebefore you get in. Check in and let people know your plans. Belize's U-19 Women's National Team travels to Honduras on Friday to Gangsplay a big part of life here. Individuals and state agents continute to threaten and attack journalists, press freedom groups report. They are taxed by gangs. Radio taxisare always a better option than hailing one off the street. Youll be able to travel around here with relative ease. Honduras isnt different from lots of other great backpacking countries in that youre never absolutely safe from food-borne illness. Utila is unlike the rest of mainland Honduras in just about every way. Get your accommodation to either recommenda good company or just book one for you. In September, the OHCHR and IACHR expressed concern regarding the continued spread of the virus in prisons. Most who can access the internet do so on their phones. 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. Honduras declared a state of exception as extortion cases rise, suspending constitutional rights in cities and deploying thousands of troops. FromLimonestoLa Union, fromGualacotoSan Esteban,and fromLa EsperanzatoGraciasThese routes can bedangerous. And if youre visiting as part of a tour, then youre likely to stay safe. Certain routes that these take have been the target ofarmed attacks. 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. Heres how to not get ill whilst trying local delights. Security forces committed abuses while enforcing a nationwide Covid-19 lockdown that President Juan Orlando Hernndez imposed in March. Almost 110,000 Hondurans were returned in 2019, mostly from Mexico. That said, the governmentclaimsthere has been a 52%decreasein violent crime over the past five years. The government relies heavily on the military for public security. Historically, governments have responded with iron-fist security strategies to combat organized crime, enacting tougher legislation and increasing police presence and mass detentions. Honduras - Organized Crime News - InSight Crime Theres more nature here than you can shake a stick at. document.getElementById("ak_js_2").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This website uses cookies to improve your experience. It was focused on the security, or lack of security in Honduras. Juan Orlando Hernndez extolled his achievements as. Gangsters killed Maria's sister in Honduras. A note on the door told TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency to fight gang crimes like extortion. Patrick said the inmates were captured about 7:45 AM in downtown Newton. The state of emergency, in place Police raid a house in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, on 8 December. One good thing I can say about Roatan is that the dive sites are excellent around the island. Some victims of extortion said that the only thing that has changed is how the money is collected. Tegucigalpa. This is essentially anunsafecountry. The violence is carried out by local drug trafficking groups, gangs, corrupt security forces and transnational criminal organizations mainly from Mexico and Colombia. 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. Honduras isnt perfectly safe for tourists, but that doesnt mean that you can travel there or have a good time. The measure must still be approved by Congress. Clearly, with the pandemic, that goal wasnt reached, but its not been forgotten either. Political power brokers also have ties to drug smuggling and have even run trafficking operations themselves. Meanwhile, as Guatemalas electoral season heats up ahead of next years presidential election, some candidates have signaled that if elected, they would also implement hardline policies. 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. These are pretty safe. As a result, humanitarian needs for food, health, nutrition and protection have increased. As of August, prisons had reported 1,700 confirmed Covid-19 cases and 38 deaths. Get fresh updates on organized crime from across the region delivered to your inbox. Honduras | Today's latest from Al Jazeera Our work is costly and high risk. Garza is wanted in Honduras for homicide. Since 2010, 42. Is Honduras safe for solo female travelers? It might sound like paradiseBut it isnt. Honduras deploys soldiers on anti-crime patrols - 1 hr 50 mins ago TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras - The Honduran government has deployed soldiers to perform anti-crime patrols in some of the Central American country's most violent cities, following the massacre of 18 people in a shoe factory this week. And Honduras has been struggling to build representative democracy, to fight corruption and crime. Share this via Email Share this via Reddit The 'spiralling crisis' pushing Hondurans to flee north Read about how e-Sims work or click below to see one of the top eSIM providers on the market andditch the plastic. Women in Guatemala: The New Faces of Extortion? You can also visit the island through a guided tour, which will add another layer of safety to your trip. 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. Gangs control areas within the same communities,. Women in Honduras face high levels of gender-based violence. Since June, 2021 the United States has shared 6,088,590 safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine doses with the people of Honduras - free of cost. The storms, among other shocks, led to higher levels of food scarcity while weakening the states capacity to cope with displacement. Not really. So youll likely escape having to pay war tax (or facing the consequences). In fact, most people in Honduras have a family member in a gang. Then there are quite a lot of gang wars as well. It may not exactly be classed as safe, but Honduras shouldnt be ignored. Women - Honduras has the fifth-highest rate of violence against women in the world. 14 Problems Hondurans Face Today - Forbes Honduras, long one of the poorest countries in Latin America, is now also among the most violent and crime-ridden. 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. Most serious crime does not affect tourists, but attacks on foreigners, including armed robbery and sexual assault, do sometimes occur. According to Hugo Maldonado, president of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights in Honduras, this year has seen 116 femicides and 23 group murders, along with more than 1,356 violent. And were not going to lie,Honduras doesnt exactly lend itself to solo travel. There is no such thing as a perfect safety guide, and this article is no different. We dont want to recommend traveling to the rest of Honduras with your family. Some areas have increased risk. The former vice president has become the Democratic front-runner with primary victories across the country. Honduras: The fear of kidnapping does not stop the exodus from a It is honestly NOT safe to drink the water in Honduras. All rights reserved. The crime rates are improving and the government is putting a lot of effort into attracting more tourists. We strive to provide the most relevant travel information on the web and always appreciate input from our readers (nicely, please!). In these demonstrations, more than 1,500 were arrested and30 people were killed. The coastline of Cedeno, a fishing village in southern Honduras, looks like it was hit by an earthquake - houses, businesses and clubs stand in ruins. This rule especially goes at night. So keep that in mind and have a read of our safety tips for solo female travelers thinking of taking a trip to Honduras. Honduras major drug trafficking groups like the Cachiros and the Valles have largely been dismantled with the arrest and extradition of top leaders, but vestiges of these clans continue to operate. All that in mind, there are places that expats dolive in Honduras. 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. 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. In El Salvador, a Thin Line Between Community Policing and Vigilantism. Visiting Honduras right now is as safe as it ever was:not very. Violent organized crime continues to disrupt Honduran society and push many people to leave the country. Womenand girls who terminate pregnancies face prison sentences of up to six years. Xiomara Castros crackdown on gangs is also an attempt to counter allegations the government hasnt done enough to combat crime. Until his life grew increasingly violent. Crisis in Honduras: Ongoing violence and climate shocks Here are three reasons the International Rescue Committee's Emergency Watchlist ranks Honduras among 20 countries most at risk of worsening humanitarian crisis in 2022. 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. In certain areas, yes Honduras is safe to travel for families. Honduras declares state of emergency against gang crime - ABC News Politicians are manipulated by criminals or other politicians. TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras -- Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency to fight gang crimes like extortion. Honduran women face daily struggles. Jesse Watters: Buying mace in Manhattan is almost as hard as getting a gun Sat Navs might not always tell you the best route. If you are a keen diver, Roatan is well worth a visit. In neighboring El Salvador, President Nayib Bukele requested Congress grant him extraordinary powers after gangs were blamed for 62 killings on March 26, and that emergency decree has been renewed every month since then. Instead, buy an eSIM! 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. Living in Honduras means youll have to adjust your life to the way of life here. Please donate. Corruption, poor governance, and. The Newton Police Department has arrested three escaped inmates from Scott County, according to Newton police chief, Randy Patrick. Security Minister Oscar Alvarez says police have identified two suspects among the five attackers . Honduran people are friendly and welcoming. Travel smart and make sure your safety and security is your number one priority. 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. Prosecutors and whistleblowers have received death threats. LGBTpeople in Honduras are frequently the targets of violence and discrimination, according to Human Rights Watch research. 2023, The Broke Backpacker. The law also sanctions abortion providers. 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. Nevertheless, the political gains to be had from emulating Bukeles hardline policies may be too enticing to pass up. In April, the office expressed concern regarding accusations of excesive use of force by state security agents enforcing the governments Covid-19 restrictions. Gang violence and organized crime are leading causes of displacement from Honduras. It may have improved it actually. Late Thursday, Honduran President Xiomara Castro proposed a measure to limit constitutional rights so as to round up gang members. More information. Because of human rights, crime has gone on so long, because human rights defend the criminal, and it shouldnt be like that, she said. Honduras deploys soldiers on anti-crime patrols Chances are, if you are arriving via a cruise ship, you will be safe. Corruption, crime, and gang activity inhibits the ability to conduct business activities freely and dissuades entrepreneurs from establishing new businesses. 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. After a 2019 wave of gang violence that killed 37 detainees, President Hernndez declared a state of emergency and put prisons under military control. International Rescue Committee is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Youll most likely get watered-down versions of Honduran food and Western stuff. 18th Street gang - Wikipedia How Gangs Control Honduras - YouTube 0:00 / 11:46 Sign in to confirm your age This video may be inappropriate for some users. Escaped inmates from Scott County captured in Newton 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. That means suncream, sun-hats, and limiting time in the sun. Its a wild world out there. 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. Gang wars and fights with the police are common in this city. We do our best to advise but this info may already be out of date. Sign in How Gangs Control Honduras VICE News 8.42M subscribers.