The US is losing allies in Latin America just as production of cocaine, fentanyl, and other synthetic drugs is going through the roof. Suddenly you find yourself surrounded by backpackers, dive shops, hostels, burger shacks, smoothie stands, and pirate bars. The streets of major cities like Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula are gripped by crime and conflict. In September, two men shot and killed journalist Luis Alonzo Almendares in Comayagua. The question of Is Honduras Safe? will ALWAYS have a different answer depending on the parties involved. The flavors, spices and. This rule especially goes at night. 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. Corruption, crime, and gang activity inhibits the ability to conduct business activities freely and dissuades entrepreneurs from establishing new businesses. 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. Plus theres Copan: the ancientMayanarchaeological site, complete with amazing sculptures. We wouldnt recommend members of the LGBTQ+ community to visit Honduras unless theyre prepared to keep any sort of affection behind closed doors. 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. Honduras isnt exactly what wed callsafe. Its better for the environment and ends up being more economical in the long run. Lots of travelers stick to bottled water,but please dont. There is limited data on the effectiveness of the program in Honduras. Honduras isnt perfectly safe for tourists, but that doesnt mean that you can travel there or have a good time. If you are a keen diver, Roatan is well worth a visit. 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. Corruption, fear of retribution, and limited access to essential health services . Late Thursday, Honduran President Xiomara Castro proposed a measure to limit constitutional rights so as to round up gang members. On Friday, Jorge Lanza the leader of the bus operators in Honduras, supported the move, saying bus drivers were tired of being threatened and killed for not paying protection money. FILE PHOTO: Police raid a house after Honduras' President Xiomara Castro (not pictured) mobilised . San Pedro Sula (Spanish pronunciation: [sam pedo sula]) is the capital of Corts Department, Honduras.It is located in the northwest corner of the country in the Sula Valley, about 50 kilometers (31 miles) south of Puerto Corts on the Caribbean Sea.With a population of 671,460 in the central urban area (2020 calculation) and a population of 1,445,598 in its metropolitan area in 2020 . Otherwise, thanks for your ear and stay safe! 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. In Honduras, one of the most violent countries in the world, 60 percent of deaths are attributed to organized crime. Sign up for our newsletter and get the best travel tips delivered right to your inbox. 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. The rate of young people killing other young people is down to twomain gangs:Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) andBarrio 18. 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. 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. The first 2,000 inmates were transferred to El Salvador's new mega-prison for hardcore gangbangers. Wed,03/01/23-8:24AM, 1,088 Reads 16,082 Statewide. 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. Shootings are very common in poorer areas too. The most extensive database on organized crime in the Americas. And theyre generally safe. Gang violence is widespread in and around urban areas. In Honduras, Police Accused Of Corruption, Killings Hernndez ran for reelection in 2017 a controversial move in Honduras. Donate now to support the IRC's life-changing work in Honduras, across northern Central America, and worldwide. 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. REUTERS/Fredy Rodriguez/File Photo. It provided a family, a sense of belonging. 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. 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. That being said, its still one of the murder capitals in the world, so if youre an inexperienced travellers, you wont be safe. 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. In these demonstrations, more than 1,500 were arrested and30 people were killed. They are taxed by gangs. Theres more nature here than you can shake a stick at. 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. 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. The inmates, all from Honduras, had reportedly escaped custody yesterday in . Since 2017, the government has operated centers to support returned migrants. https://t.co/xQGbbyZXXv. Gang violence is a big issue in Honduras. So whilst its gettingsafer, its a slow process. As world leaders met for the United Nations General Assembly, Latin American presidents expressed various concerns about organized crime. To reduce overcrowding in response to the pandemic, the legislature approved alternatives to pretrial detention in June and judges released more than 1,600 people. 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. Wed,03/01/23-8:26AM, 3 Reads. Investigations were underway at time of writing. TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency to fight gang crimes like extortion. Not really. Late Thursday, Nov. 24, Castro proposed a measure to limit constitutional rights so as to round up gang members. So keep that in mind and have a read of our safety tips for solo female travelers thinking of taking a trip to Honduras. Is Honduras safe for solo female travelers? By clicking submit, you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy. In October, the Civic Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras (COPINH), of which Cceres was president, complained of continued delays and a lack of transparency in the case. Take theBay Islands,for example. Yery Noel Medina Ulloa of Honduras pleaded guilty . 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 measure must still be approved by Congress. Youll most likely get watered-down versions of Honduran food and Western stuff. And what you had, you know, after the coup, while the U.S. did cut assistance, it was very. Youll get the, If youve got no locals to ask, just use your eyes. 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. 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 . Gangs control areas within the same communities,. In the 2010s, Honduras' homicide rate skyrocketed, peaking in 2011 and slowly declining since. These. Police raid a house in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, on 8 December. The media and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) reported several cases of abusive police enforcement of the Covid-19 lockdown. 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. January 26, 2022 At a glance Population: 10.1 million 2.8 million people in need of humanitarian aid The Supreme Court had upheld Romeros 10-year sentencein January 2020. Gang wars and fights with the police are common in this city. They practice "war taxing", which is essentially just demanding money from people. You can also visit the island through a guided tour, which will add another layer of safety to your trip. And watch out for bad road conditions after heavy rain. By 2020 they want an additional milliontourists annually. Excessive use of force by police and deployment of the military in public security operations continued in 2020. Newton County Sheriff's Office was involved with . Other ways to share Theres no reason to get mixed up with a gang in Honduras. But its clear that extortion is occurring in areas where it didnt in the past, and there is no disagreement, among experts or others, on the gravity of the problem. Sat Navs might not always tell you the best route. This is apretty safe area to visit. Im nervous, repeated a young police officer driving a pickup truck crowded with heavily armed special forces officers. Subscribe. The crime rates are improving and the government is putting a lot of effort into attracting more tourists. Share this via Telegram Locals have to pay war taxes which keeps the poverty rate high as well. Members of the military police of public order patrol a street during a special operation against criminal gangs in Tegucigalpa on 6 December. El Salvador and Honduras have been condemned by the "civilized" world. According to the U.N., Honduras has the highest femicide rate in the world. That said, the development that has taken place has not totally sucked the island dry of its charm. In Honduras, the types of danger include, but are not limited to, violent gang activity, trafficking, rape, street crime and armed robbery. 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. There are an estimated 115,000 gang members. Youll also have to take care that your children dont stay in the sun fortoo long. 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. It was Zelaya's intention to seek a second term that coup leaders. Lanza said drivers had been asking for a crackdown for years. This isnt one for first-time backpackers. Dont eat at tourist traps. A . Gangs attacking other gangs. There are private coach servicesthat connect cities and towns that are usually moremaintained and more comfortable than the chicken buses. Traveling around the country is a more complicated matter. The food in Honduras is super tasty. Its dangerous there.. The Newton Police Department has arrested three escaped inmates from Scott County, according to Newton police chief, Randy Patrick. As of August, prisons had reported 1,700 confirmed Covid-19 cases and 38 deaths. It included provisions that appeared aimed at reducing penalties for politicians linked to organized crime, by lowering sentences for corruption and related offenses. Violent gang activity, such as extortion, violent street crime, rape, and narcotics and human trafficking, is widespread. 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. This should not distract, however, from the fact that there are life-threatening problems that residents of Honduras struggle with daily. 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. At the same time, traveling alone can be stressful, boring, lonely, anddangerous in varying quantities. A ferry also runs betweenTrujilloandGuanaja. And there are roads that have higher levels ofattacks,including carjacking. Despite some similarities, the security situation in El Salvador is different from Honduras, which has a much larger territory, higher population, greater poverty and a more diverse set of criminal groups. But traveling there is possible, of course. Nevertheless, the political gains to be had from emulating Bukeles hardline policies may be too enticing to pass up. Journalists, environmental activists, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT). The government relies heavily on the military for public security. A large chunk of thosearrived via cruise ships, however. Of the 6,088,590 vaccine doses, 100% were donated in partnership with COVAX. Gangs kill, disappear, rape, or displace those who resist. More information. San Pedro Sula, Honduras, has been given the unfortunate title of the most dangerous city in the world. 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. La Ceibaon the northern coast, with mountains, jungles, and beaches, is a chilled and adventurous area to explore. There are alsopassenger ferriesif you want to go totheBay Islands. Of course, while it's not ever good to generalize an. 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. 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. One example:tajadas(fried plantains, topped with cabbage and served with ground beef). 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. 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. Every 18 hours, a woman is a victim of a violent death. 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. Honduras is one of themurder capitalsof the world. And this area is great for children. 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 . It also documented widespread mistreatment of people detained and arrested during the protests. This includes 2,838,450 Pfizer doses and 3,250,140 Moderna doses. Keeping yourself away from any situation to do with them will be a good way to keep yourself pretty much safe. Patrick said the inmates were captured about 7:45 AM in downtown Newton. Clearly, with the pandemic, that goal wasnt reached, but its not been forgotten either. So youll likely escape having to pay war tax (or facing the consequences). The former vice president has become the Democratic front-runner with primary victories across the country. The new code also includes alternatives to detention for low-level crimes, including partial prison sentences and penalties that allow for conditional release. 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. We need to address these immediate needs too.. Living in Honduras means youll have to adjust your life to the way of life here. 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. As of August 2020, more than 21,000 people were detained in prisons with capacity for just under 11,000. All rights reserved. In fact, most people in Honduras have a family member in a gang. Its not a good idea to go out to bars and clubs by yourself. We are on the frontlines providing critical aid to crisis-affected people in more than 40 countries, including places on the 2022 Emergency Watchlist. If youre not on a highwayyoull probably need a 44. 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. The government had granted him protective measures in January 2019. A law prohibiting same-sex couples from adopting childrentook effect in 2019. We do our best to advise but this info may already be out of date. 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. 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. That said, the governmentclaimsthere has been a 52%decreasein violent crime over the past five years. The primary drivers of this violence are gangs like the Barrio 18 and MS13, which concentrate their criminal activities in urban areas and recruit young people, many of whom are suffering from widespread economic inequality and a lack of opportunity. TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras -- Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency to fight gang crimes like extortion. Dont hitchhike ortake lifts from strangers , Other ways to meet fellow travelers and. Efforts to reform public-security institutions have stalled. Planning a safe trip to Honduras can get quite overwhelming. See the State Department's travel website for the Worldwide Caution and Travel Advisories. Half of underage pregnancies result from rape. There are some safety pointsthat travelers should know for anywhere they travel, but Honduras requires these special considerations. People live here with children, by themselves, as couples, some retire here, and some people have even started up their own hostelsor otherbusinesses. 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. Two private security officers were charged. Theyve been doing it since 2002 protecting, connecting, and inspiring independent travellers just like you. For example, theBay Islandsaresaferthan the mainland. Some are deprived of full legal capacity and are institutionalized in different settings, including psychiatric hospitals. Weve covered the main safety concerns already, but there are a few more things to know. Gender-based violence in Honduras is also among the highest in the region and has increased during the pandemic. Share this via WhatsApp There are taxi ranks in a lot of locations. But the thing iswomen DO travel alone to Honduras. This has a pretty good expat community too. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Estimates of the number of active gang members range from 5,000 to 40,000. 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TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras -- Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency to fight gang crimes like extortion. Abuses by security forces, including alleged collusion with criminal organizations, and weak state institutions, have contributed to the persistence of gang violence. Judges continue to face interference, including political pressure, threats, and harassment, from the executive branch, private actors with connections to government, and organized crime. Following domestic and international criticism, the government backtracked and a week later re-established constitutional free speech guarantees. (KCAU) The Stanton County Sheriff's Office said that they've cited two men who allegedly killed an American Bald Eagle. People are frisked in Tegucigalpa on 26 November. Thats mainly to visit islands like Roatan. UNHCR; Posted 22 Dec 2022 Originally published 22 . 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. Chances are, if you are arriving via a cruise ship, you will be safe. TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency to fight gang crimes like extortion. Or gangs attacking Honduran citizens for not paying war tax. 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. 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. Nope. I consent to my personal information being processed in accordance with The Broke Backpackers. And if youre visiting as part of a tour, then youre likely to stay safe. Women - Honduras has the fifth-highest rate of violence against women in the world. generally, if youre visiting with a guided tour, you should be fine. Corruption, no supervision, and poor legislation have led to Latin American military weapons ending up in criminal hands. Itcan be safe as a solo female traveler in Honduras. In Honduras, steps were taken to demilitarize public security forces and a community policing model was announced, with the hope being that the measures would increase public trust in an institution that has historically been dogged by corruption and infiltrated by the very same organized crime groups it is supposed to combat. Almendares had repeatedly received death threats since 2017 in relation to his reporting. Dont put yourself through that stress. President Xiomara Castro, center, with the minister of defense, Jose Manuel Zelaya, and the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, Jos Jorge Fortn, at a military ceremony in Tegucigalpa on 9 December. 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. Country Summary: Violent crime, such as homicide and armed robbery, is common. Trump, who is running for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, announced a slate of futuristic new policies in a campaign video Friday. This is when things can get sketchy. via REUTERS. Read on for more detailed information on how to have a safe trip to Honduras. That means getting used to gangs, violence, and corruption. In 2013, Honduras reformed the penal code to recognize femicide as a crime. City busestravel around the cities and towns themselves. Some areas are also safer than others. However, if you decide to travel independently, youll face quite a few challenges. 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. REUTERS/Fredy Rodriguez/File PhotoReuters. In December 2018, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights found Honduras responsible for failing to investigate Hernndezs death. Weve made it pretty clear that Honduras isnt the safest country. Historically, governments have responded with iron-fist security strategies to combat organized crime, enacting tougher legislation and increasing police presence and mass detentions. Get a quote below or read our in-depth review! It can be a super enriching experience. 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. 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. Lanza said that 50 drivers have been killed so far in 2022, and a total of 2,500 have been killed over the last 15 years. 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. Officials were called out to the main Wood Duck Recreation Area at around 4 p.m. on Tuesday to investigate a suspicious vehicle, a ccording to a release from the Sheriff's Office. 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. The number one network in cable, FNC has been the most-watched television news channel for 18 consecutive years. Especiallythrough a tour company. Violence has long ruled here. Honduras has freed dozens of individuals tied to organized crime a year after reforming its money laundering law. 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.