We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Some are deprived of full legal capacity and are institutionalized in different settings, including psychiatric hospitals. If you see any outdated information in this guide, we would really appreciate it if you could reach out in the comments below. Inside Gang Territory in Honduras: 'Either They Kill Us or We Kill Them In Honduras, one of the most violent countries in the world, 60 percent of deaths are attributed to organized crime. Dont expect to discover an undeveloped private island. Gangs control areas within the same communities,. Its not a good idea to go out to bars and clubs by yourself. Gangsplay a big part of life here. Most dangerous city: San Pedro Sula, Honduras - Boston.com A woman is killed every 23 hours on average, the National Autonomous University of Honduras Violence Observatory reports. We dont want to recommend traveling to the rest of Honduras with your family. Gang violence is a big issue in Honduras. Heres how to not get ill whilst trying local delights. Honduras and theUS signed anasylum cooperative agreement in 2019, whereby Honduras agreed to receivenon-Honduran asylum-seekerstransferred by the US. Of course, while it's not ever good to generalize an. Prolonged droughts have undermined food production, while in October 2021 a wildfire in the Guanaja region affected thousands. World Report 2022: Honduras | Human Rights Watch The men remained missing at time of writing. (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. And Honduras has been struggling to build representative democracy, to fight corruption and crime. 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. 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. And if youre visiting as part of a tour, then youre likely to stay safe. In addition, gang recruitment of minors has contributed to the increasing numbers of families and unaccompanied children leaving Honduras for Mexico, some planning to travel onward to the U.S.. Xiomara Castros crackdown on gangs is also an attempt to counter allegations the government hasnt done enough to combat crime. As dusk fell, a helicopter hovered menacingly over a dusty football field where several hundred police officers stood in formation, waiting for the clock to strike six and the imposition of a state of exception partially suspending constitutional guarantees in Honduras. Share this via Email In fact, most people in Honduras have a family member in a gang. Its dangerous there.. By clicking submit, you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy. Its a country with a big heart. Honduras, long one of the poorest countries in Latin America, is now also among the most violent and crime-ridden. Some areas are also safer than others. Honduras, the narco-state that illustrates U.S. contradictions The flavors, spices and. So keep that in mind and have a read of our safety tips for solo female travelers thinking of taking a trip to Honduras. Domestic and sexual violence are also widespread, with women and children bearing the brunt. FromLimonestoLa Union, fromGualacotoSan Esteban,and fromLa EsperanzatoGraciasThese routes can bedangerous. In June, police detained and beat bus drivers who were allegedly protesting not being able to work due to lockdown restrictions. The mission in early December was ostensibly to raid a casa loca, an abandoned home used by gang members. Please donate. As of August 2020, more than 21,000 people were detained in prisons with capacity for just under 11,000. 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. Investigations were underway at time of writing. But if youre thinking about it, here are some tips. Enjoy your travels! The violence is carried out by local drug trafficking groups, gangs, corrupt security forces and transnational criminal organizations mainly from Mexico and Colombia. Youll need to be a confident traveler. Weve covered the main safety concerns already, but there are a few more things to know. 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. 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 November 2020, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights heard the case of Vicky Hernndez, a trans woman allegedly extrajudicially executed in 2009. Donate now to support the IRC's life-changing work in Honduras, across northern Central America, and worldwide. Inside Honduras' most dangerous gangs - YouTube Being in the wrong place at the wrong time can seriously get you in trouble. It suspends some Constitutional rights and gives police more powers to arrest and hold suspects. But traveling there is possible, of course. A Honduran woman and her children manage to cross the remnants of a bridge destroyed by Hurricane Iota. We go into the field to interview, report and investigate. 1 Million Migrants Fled Honduras for the U.S. Under Juan - Newsweek The former vice president has become the Democratic front-runner with primary victories across the country. Public buildings, transportation, and information and communication services open to the public are not fully accessible to people with disabilities. Is your phone eSIM ready? Stay informed daily on the latest news and advice on COVID-19 from the editors at U.S. News & World Report. Youll get the, If youve got no locals to ask, just use your eyes. 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. Feb. 21, 2023, at 6:11 p.m. Honduras Extends, Expands State of Emergency for Second Time. This rule especially goes at night. Those who work in the transportation sector (taxi and bus drivers) are notable targets of gangs, but many are unable to flee for fear of retaliatory violence against themselves and their . Nearly 3.3 million people, or one in three Hondurans, were experiencing crisis or worse levels of food insecurity by late 2021. It can be a super enriching experience. But its pretty damn special too. Keeping yourself away from any situation to do with them will be a good way to keep yourself pretty much safe. That means suncream, sun-hats, and limiting time in the sun. Corruption, poor governance, and. Suddenly you find yourself surrounded by backpackers, dive shops, hostels, burger shacks, smoothie stands, and pirate bars. There is only anecdotal evidence of the scale of the problem because so few extortion victims report the crime, making a statistical analysis impossible. It is honestly NOT safe to drink the water in Honduras. 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. FILE PHOTO: Police raid a house after Honduras' President Xiomara Castro (not pictured) mobilised . With all of its branches of government and its armed forces plagued by corruption, Honduras has evolved into a transit nation in which criminal groups, protected by the political system, have developed the capacity to produce cocaine hydrochloride in local laboratories. Theres alsoLa Ceiba. Escaped inmates from Scott County captured in Newton So whilst its gettingsafer, its a slow process. 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. Tegucigalpa. Human rights defenders have said they will monitor the measures. Trump, who is running for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, announced a slate of futuristic new policies in a campaign video Friday. There are many daily newspapers in Honduras where that constantly provide the latest updated news and information. To Desafio, the Barrio 18 gang in Honduras was everything. Its a mix of European, indigenous and Caribbean influence, and youll love it. Drug trafficking gangs, corruption, and extreme poverty keep Honduras down. Honduras has been through a lot in recent years. 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. 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. Honduras - Organized Crime News - InSight Crime On theCaribbean coast, there are plenty of delicious dishes to sample, with tortillasand things likerefried beansserved up with every meal. 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. 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. Security Minister Oscar Alvarez says police have identified two suspects among the five attackers . Honestly? Read the entire Travel Advisory. Chances are, if you are arriving via a cruise ship, you will be safe. The media and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) reported several cases of abusive police enforcement of the Covid-19 lockdown. Most serious crime does not affect tourists, but attacks on foreigners, including armed robbery and sexual assault, do sometimes occur. In the 2010s, Honduras' homicide rate skyrocketed, peaking in 2011 and slowly declining since. Security forces committed abuses while enforcing a nationwide Covid-19 lockdown that President Juan Orlando Hernndez imposed in March. This has a pretty good expat community too. Excessive use of force by police and deployment of the military in public security operations continued in 2020. Certain routes that these take have been the target ofarmed attacks. Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2017 was 40.98, a 26.23% decline from 2016. For years, street gangs have charged protection money from bus and taxi drivers and store owners in Honduras, as in neighboring El Salvador. This is essentially anunsafecountry. It has experienced one of the world's highest homicide rates, with multiple forms of violence linked to drug trafficking groups. In April, the office expressed concern regarding accusations of excesive use of force by state security agents enforcing the governments Covid-19 restrictions. A collection of moments during and after Barack Obama's presidency. World Nomads mission is to support and encourage travellers to explore their boundaries. TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency to fight gang crimes like extortion. The government of Honduras is committed to attracting more tourists. A quarter of women and girls become pregnant before turning 18the second-highest rate in Latin America. Dont hitchhike ortake lifts from strangers , Other ways to meet fellow travelers and. Wed say only experienced, intrepid travelers should tackle this one alone. Access to health care services was a concern in Honduras prior to the pandemic, particularly for rural and economically marginalized communities. 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. 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. Gangs exercise territorial control over neighborhoods and extort residents throughout the country. 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. Youll also have to take care that your children dont stay in the sun fortoo long. It may not exactly be classed as safe, but Honduras shouldnt be ignored. Honduras Honduras declares war against gangs - and for control of popular narrative Xiomara Castro's crackdown on gangs is also an attempt to counter allegations the government hasn't done. Individuals and state agents continute to threaten and attack journalists, press freedom groups report. Honduras Crime Rate & Statistics 1990-2023 | MacroTrends UNHCR; Posted 22 Dec 2022 Originally published 22 . 6 gang members killed in Honduras prison | Breaking News App by Shore Honduras: The fear of kidnapping does not stop the exodus from a The new criminal code decriminalized defamation, but retains other crimes of honorincluding insult and slanderwhich have been used to prosecute journalists in the past. 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. 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. Police raid a house in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, on 8 December. Gang wars and fights with the police are common in this city. Political power brokers also have ties to drug smuggling and have even run trafficking operations themselves. In these demonstrations, more than 1,500 were arrested and30 people were killed. 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. led to the detention of more than 2% of its adult population. 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. The question of Is Honduras Safe? will ALWAYS have a different answer depending on the parties involved. In December 2018, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights found Honduras responsible for failing to investigate Hernndezs death. 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. 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. Sign in How Gangs Control Honduras VICE News 8.42M subscribers. The Bay Islands are the only palace in Honduras that can (kind of) be considered somewhat safe. Honduras | Today's latest from Al Jazeera After kidnapping in Honduras, teen ended up in San Leandro backyard In fact, according toInSight Crime there has definitely been around a 26% drop in crime since 2016. 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. 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. By MARLON GONZLEZ November 25, 2022. Overcrowding, inadequate nutrition, poor sanitation, beatings, intra-gang violence, and detainee killings are endemic in prisons. We then verify, write and edit, providing the tools to generate real impact. A study published in April reported that nearly half of teachers in rural areas had not been able to contact the majority of their students. There are definitely a fair few pros to solo travel. Journalists, environmental activists, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT). Of course, you can book a local tour that can look after your safety during your trip, but make sure your research leaves you feeling absolutely confident in the reliability of the tour you choose. However, whilst its quite dangerous, the government is promoting tourism in Honduras. Hondurans are warm and welcoming people whohave to live day in, day out with the violence in their country. Violence in Honduras | Association for a More Just Society Honduras has the misfortune of being situated between South American cocaine production and U.S. drug consumption. Between 2005 and 2019, 34 percent of women who were 20-24 years old had married when they were 15-19, the UN Population Fund reported in 2020. People here live in pretty supreme poverty 60%of the population living in poverty really isa lot of people. Since 2010, 42. See the State Department's travel website for the Worldwide Caution and Travel Advisories. via REUTERS. SafetyWing is convenient, cheap, and trouble-free Insurance was never this easy! Dont open the door for anyone, unless youre expecting a visit. This social democratic government is declaring war on extorsion, just as it has, since the first day, declared wars on corruption, impunity and drug trafficking," Castro said. It provided a family, a sense of belonging. Get the latest news about the IRC's innovative programs, compelling stories about our clients and how you can make a difference. Disclaimer: Safety conditions change all over the world on a daily basis. Again, thank you! Its a wild world out there. Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency to fight gang crimes like extortion. Honduras recorded 3,496 murders in 2020. They face violence from gangs, the national civil police and the military police, members of the public, and their own families, as well as extortion by gangs and discrimination in schools and in the workplace. Close to 1 million migrants fled Honduras for the U.S. border over the eight-year tenure of former President Juan Orlando Hernndez, now facing drug trafficking charges after being arrested. In certain areas, yes Honduras is safe to travel for families. Violent organized crime continues to disrupt Honduran society and push many people to leave the country. Investigating organized crime is an expensive and often risky enterprise. It included provisions that appeared aimed at reducing penalties for politicians linked to organized crime, by lowering sentences for corruption and related offenses. In terms of murder rate, it's the second most violent country in Central or South America, trailing only Venezuela. Members include officers from the police, the military, and the Attorneys General Office. You can too. Historically, governments have responded with iron-fist security strategies to combat organized crime, enacting tougher legislation and increasing police presence and mass detentions.
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