Taxis areall over the placein Honduras. That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we dont believe are up to scratch. In March 2020, the government declared a state of emergency in response to the pandemic, imposing a lockdown and restricting movement and freedom of expression. In El Salvador, a Thin Line Between Community Policing and Vigilantism. 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. (Reporting by Orfa Mejia in Tegucigalpa; Writing by Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Leslie Adler). Juan Orlando Hernndez extolled his achievements as. Investigating organized crime is an expensive and often risky enterprise. Abortionisillegalin Honduras in all circumstances. 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. ACNUR acoge con satisfaccin la aprobacin de la ley sobre desplazamiento interno en Honduras Format News and Press Release Source. Visiting Honduras right now is as safe as it ever was:not very. Theres a lot to learn about Honduras that goes beyond gangs and beaches. Get the latest news about the IRC's innovative programs, compelling stories about our clients and how you can make a difference. Keeping yourself away from any situation to do with them will be a good way to keep yourself pretty much safe. We wouldnt recommend members of the LGBTQ+ community to visit Honduras unless theyre prepared to keep any sort of affection behind closed doors. In November 2020, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights heard the case of Vicky Hernndez, a trans woman allegedly extrajudicially executed in 2009. Access to health care services was a concern in Honduras prior to the pandemic, particularly for rural and economically marginalized communities. Honduras isnt perfectly safe for tourists, but that doesnt mean that you can travel there or have a good time. But if you meet the local ladies andlearn about their livesyoure going to have a VERY enriching experience on your hands. Police chief Gustavo Sanchez said the decision, based on what he told journalists were good results during December, will allow continued reductions in crime and violence. The government bans emergency contraception, known as the morningafter pill, which can prevent pregnancy after rape, unprotected sex, or contraceptive failure. led to the detention of more than 2% of its adult population. Here's a list of 14: 1. In January 2020, the government shut down the Mission to Support the Fight against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras (MACCIH). So backpacking Honduras isnt always just a breeze. In Honduras, one of the most violent countries in the world, 60 percent of deaths are attributed to organized crime. Traveling here is definitely adventurous, but that doesnt mean its off-limits for solo travelers. The rate of young people killing other young people is down to twomain gangs:Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) andBarrio 18. This is apretty safe area to visit. https://t.co/xQGbbyZXXv. Use these tips to reduce the risk, but we also recommend that you pack some medication fit for a bad stomach. So whilst its gettingsafer, its a slow process. Radio Globo directorDavid Romero, convicted of defamation in 2016, died in prison from Covid-19 in July. Domestic and sexual violence are also widespread, with women and children bearing the brunt. The IRC is calling for stronger international cooperation to address the humanitarian crisis that displaces hundreds of thousands from Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala every year. 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. Sometimes the drivers are assaulted. HOUSTON Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Houston, with assistance from ERO Tegucigalpa and the Security Alliance for Fugitive Enforcement (SAFE) Task Force, removed Rufino Garza Monroy, a twice-deported foreign fugitive from the United States on Feb. 24. How to tackle it is another issue. Gracias a Dios Department due to crime. We dont want to recommend traveling to the rest of Honduras with your family. We travel with a filter bottle, the GRAYL GEOPRESS or we just boil the water for a few minutes and store in a refillable water bottle. By BRENT MAZE. The storms, among other shocks, led to higher levels of food scarcity while weakening the states capacity to cope with displacement. Were not going to say its thesafest place to travel,nor is it going to be the easiestplace to travel as a solo female. 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. FromLimonestoLa Union, fromGualacotoSan Esteban,and fromLa EsperanzatoGraciasThese routes can bedangerous. 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. So keep that in mind and have a read of our safety tips for solo female travelers thinking of taking a trip to Honduras. . As of September 2020, the US had yet to begin deporting any third country nationals to Honduras under the agreement. Stay informed daily on the latest news and advice on COVID-19 from the editors at U.S. News & World Report. There are 37 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants, and all 18 provinces are. The government relies heavily on the military for public security. We strive to provide the most relevant travel information on the web and always appreciate input from our readers (nicely, please!). We do our best to advise but this info may already be out of date. The poverty resulting from all this is what youll have to watch out for. We provide cash to help people meet basic needs. In Honduras, the types of danger include, but are not limited to, violent gang activity, trafficking, rape, street crime and armed robbery. Gangsplay a big part of life here. And theyre generally safe. 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. TEGUCIGALPA (Reuters) - Honduran authorities reported on Monday the discovery of more than 1.6 million coca leaf bushes in the most important. 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. Its a country with a big heart. 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. 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. TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency to fight gang crimes like extortion. Otherwise, thanks for your ear and stay safe! 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. 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. Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency against gang crimes like extortion. Anyone else would do well with a trusted tour group. Close, Is Honduras Safe for Travel? This should not distract, however, from the fact that there are life-threatening problems that residents of Honduras struggle with daily. A . With those come violenceandpoverty. Xiomara Castros crackdown on gangs is also an attempt to counter allegations the government hasnt done enough to combat crime. Share this via Reddit 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. Nope. generally, if youre visiting with a guided tour, you should be fine. 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. Rights activists say young men are frequently arrested just based on their age, appearance or whether they live in a gang-dominated slum. Honduras declared a state of exception as extortion cases rise, suspending constitutional rights in cities and deploying thousands of troops. Roatan is the more developed, more expensive, and family friendly big brother of Utila. 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. Dont hitchhike ortake lifts from strangers , Other ways to meet fellow travelers and. Politicians are manipulated by criminals or other politicians. The inmates, all from Honduras, had reportedly escaped custody yesterday in . And people do go. Poverty, violence, and insecurity are the main reasons for the high crime rate. Youll also have to take care that your children dont stay in the sun fortoo long. The flavors, spices and. Honduras is one of themurder capitalsof the world. For now, there are 15,000 taxis who want your attention. 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. Tegucigalpa. Already vulnerable people in Honduras live in an evolving humanitarian crisis, says IRC protection coordinator Zuleyma Chahin. Living in Honduras means youll have to adjust your life to the way of life here. Activistssaythegovernments Mechanism for the Protection of Journalists, Human Rights Defenders and Operators of Justice, created in 2015, lacks uniform criteria and is ineffective. 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. Women in Honduras face high levels of gender-based violence. If a restaurant or eatery of any sort looks busy, thats probably because its good, both in terms of taste and. Is your phone eSIM ready? At the same time, traveling alone can be stressful, boring, lonely, anddangerous in varying quantities. Corruption, poor governance, and. EIN number 13-5660870. Share this via LinkedIn 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. Simple as that. 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. 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. The story 6 gang members killed in Honduras prison was published by the Associated Press on 2022-07-04 18:29:24. These. One example:tajadas(fried plantains, topped with cabbage and served with ground beef). If we didnt have Bukeles example, we could probably look for some control and security responses based on strengthening institutions.. Its dangerous there.. Transgender woman activist killed in Honduras A quarter of women and girls become pregnant before turning 18the second-highest rate in Latin America. 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. Its a mix of European, indigenous and Caribbean influence, and youll love it. ThisCentral Americancountry suffers from what many countries in the region have suffered from or are currently battling with namely corruption, gangs,anddrugs. The food in Honduras is super tasty. There is limited data on the effectiveness of the program in Honduras. Roatan is the largest of the Honduras Bay Islands. It is not just murder, it's also the shocking numbers of rape, assault, and domestic violence cases, happening with near-total impunity. Youll get the, If youve got no locals to ask, just use your eyes. For example, theBay Islandsaresaferthan the mainland. 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. Juan Aguilar, 41, and his wife, Margaret Wilson, 39, both of San Leandro, face charges of kidnapping to commit a sex crime, human trafficking of a minor, forcible rape, and forcible oral copulation. 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. Its not 100% safe in Honduras. 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. 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. The government of Honduras is committed to attracting more tourists. 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. Newton County Sheriff's Office was involved with . We are on the frontlines providing critical aid to crisis-affected people in more than 40 countries, including places on the 2022 Emergency Watchlist. Utila is unlike the rest of mainland Honduras in just about every way. This has a pretty good expat community too. In September, the OHCHR and IACHR expressed concern regarding the continued spread of the virus in prisons. When the time came, the police departed in caravans to gang-infested neighbourhoods throughout the capital city, as part of an effort to combat an apparent rise in extortion. Many Hondurans dont have access toclean waterandmedical care. The most extensive database on organized crime in the Americas. 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. In 2018, the last year for which statistics are available, 60 percent of perpetrators were domestic partners. After a 2019 wave of gang violence that killed 37 detainees, President Hernndez declared a state of emergency and put prisons under military control. It provided a family, a sense of belonging. Your little ones get to see the Mesoamerican Reef,thesecond largest barrier reef in the world. 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. Classes were broadcast on television, radio, and online, in some cases with assignments sent via Whatsapp. Allegations that senior politicians had been benefiting financially from the drug trade contributed to the unrest. 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 . There is only anecdotal evidence of the scale of the problem because so few extortion victims report the crime, making a statistical analysis impossible. And that is pretty cool. Schools were closed from March onward due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Even if they graduate high school, they can't get a job." Security forces committed abuses while enforcing a nationwide Covid-19 lockdown that President Juan Orlando Hernndez imposed in March. In terms of murder rate, it's the second most violent country in Central or South America, trailing only Venezuela. For years, street gangs have charged protection money from bus and taxi drivers and store owners in Honduras, as in neighboring El Salvador. Note that they are generally safe to visit during the day (with a bit of caution obviously), especially if you have a local guide, but should be fully avoided at night. Everyone from children to adults are recruited. Journalists, environmental activists,lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals,and people with disabilities are among the groups targeted forviolence. They practice war taxing, which is essentially just demanding money from people. This is due to negotiationsbetween criminal groups and the government, and possibly because of economic aid from the US. Despite recent educational advances, around a third of children aged 3-17 did not attend school in 2018, according to the most recent survey by the National Statistics Institute. Honduran people are friendly and welcoming. A Honduran woman and her children manage to cross the remnants of a bridge destroyed by Hurricane Iota. Gang violence is a big issue in Honduras. Seeing the world without anyone to answer to, getting to challenge yourself andgrow as a person. In 2014, the United Nations reported that 95 percent of cases of sexual violence and femicide in Honduras were never even investigated. Every dollar supports our mission. Sexual violence and oppression are frequent tragedies here. January 26, 2022 At a glance Population: 10.1 million 2.8 million people in need of humanitarian aid Honduras is exposed to other climate shocks as well. The Bay Islands are the only palace in Honduras that can (kind of) be considered somewhat safe. He estimated the companies and drivers have paid an average of about $10 million per month to the gangs in order to operate. Gang violence and organized crime are leading causes of displacement from Honduras. Women, children, the LGBTQ+ community, and returnees face ever growing conflict and risks, from the effects of climate change to the impacts of COVID-19 and violenceat home and on the streets.. There are high levels of crime in Honduras. That means getting used to gangs, violence, and corruption. Efforts to reform public-security institutions have stalled. Share this via Email Youll most likely get watered-down versions of Honduran food and Western stuff. 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 . Dont expect to discover an undeveloped private island. Police raid a house in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, on 8 December. Since 2010, 42. Security experts are divided on how much the perception is the result of sensationalist media coverage, a real rise, a little of both or simply the continued expansion of a problem that has metastasized for two decades. Some victims of extortion said that the only thing that has changed is how the money is collected. By 2020 they want an additional milliontourists annually. The inauguration of Xiomara Castro, elected Hondurass first female president, is scheduled for January 27 with U.S. vice president Kamala Harris, King Felipe VI of Spain and other world leaders slated to attend. Just 18 percent of Hondurans have internet access in their homes and a quarter of homes in rural areas dont have electricity. Xiomara should hurry up and go after all those gang members, said Isidora Varela, 70, at her market stand in downtown Tegucigalpa. So when it comes to safetyin Honduras, we think youllgenerallybe fine, especially in the Bay Islands. Copyright International Rescue Committee, 2023. crises in 2022 in Latin America and the Caribbean, top 10 crises the world cant ignore in 2022, calling for stronger international cooperation, 2.8 million people in need of humanitarian aid, 36% of funding received for 2021 Humanitarian Response Plan, 937,000 disaster-induced displacements in 2020, 3.3 million people facing crisis or worse levels of food insecurity in 2022. CNN Juan Orlando Hernndez, the former president of Honduras, appeared virtually for his initial US court appearance Friday on federal drug trafficking and firearms possession charges.. Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2017 was 40.98, a 26.23% decline from 2016. The effort comes amid complaints by business owners, the transportation sector and ordinary Hondurans that extortion by criminals has risen in recent months. 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. STANTON COUNTY, Neb. You will have to agree on a pricebefore you get in. Sign up for our newsletter and get the best travel tips delivered right to your inbox. It was Zelaya's intention to seek a second term that coup leaders. 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. 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. Itcan be safe as a solo female traveler in Honduras. Members of the military police of public order patrol a street during a special operation against criminal gangs in Tegucigalpa on 6 December. InSight Crime's 2022 Homicide Round-Up covers more countries than ever before, with a major expansion into nations of the Caribbean. Established in 2016 by the government and the Organization of American States (OAS), theMACCIHcontributed to the prosecution of 133 people, including congresspeople and senior officials, 14 of whom faced criminal trials. A woman is killed every 23 hours on average, the National Autonomous University of Honduras Violence Observatory reports. Over60% of the populationlive below the poverty line. We then verify, write and edit, providing the tools to generate real impact. 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. Dont put yourself through that stress. Other ways to share There are alsopassenger ferriesif you want to go totheBay Islands. Theyre old U.S. school buses that are poorly maintained,andovercrowded. Honduras is one of the poorest countries in the Western hemisphere. Gangs attacking other gangs. Security Minister Oscar Alvarez says police have identified two suspects among the five attackers . The mission in early December was ostensibly to raid a casa loca, an abandoned home used by gang members. These are the safest islands: Once you get off the ferry in Utila you have officially entered an alternate reality. This Central American country actually has one of the highest murder rates in the world. 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. Honduras newspaper, TV channel news, online portal news, and magazine sites are getting popularity day by day around the world. Corruption, crime, and gang activity inhibits the ability to conduct business activities freely and dissuades entrepreneurs from establishing new businesses. Instead, buy an eSIM! (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 there are roads that have higher levels ofattacks,including carjacking. Its just that easy. More information. Please support our mission investigating organized crime. Late Thursday, Nov. 24, Castro proposed a measure to limit constitutional rights so as to round up gang members. Iris Argentina lvarez of the Cerro Escondido peasant cooperative, which has been working to recover land currently owned by a sugar company, was killed and three people were injured during a violent and allegedly illegal eviction in Choluteca in April 2020. msn back to msn home news Skip To Navigation The groups most likely to be internally displaced or leave the country are children subjected to forced gang recruitment, professionals and business owners who face extortion, domestic violence survivors, and LGBT people and members of ethnic minorities who face violence and discrimination. Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2019 was 42.01, a 7.91% increase from 2018. Not all U.S. presidents are missed once they leave the White House. We need to address these immediate needs too.. Theyve been doing it since 2002 protecting, connecting, and inspiring independent travellers just like you. 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 suspends some Constitutional rights and gives police more powers to arrest and hold suspects. 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. Violence has long ruled here. This helps keep everyone in poverty. "Today at dawn, in a single operation, we transferred the first 2,000 gang .