Thats why we listed the no-go areas in Honduras below. Corruption, fear of retribution, and limited access to essential health services . We then verify, write and edit, providing the tools to generate real impact. Rights activists say young men are frequently arrested just based on their age, appearance or whether they live in a gang-dominated slum. Living in Honduras means youll have to adjust your life to the way of life here. Many people do travel to this particular part of Honduras,even with their families. The measure must still be approved by Congress. They offer simple & flexible travel insurance, and safety advice to help you travel confidently. Poor health infrastructure and limited access to sanitation services has contributed to the spread of the virus. 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. Its not a good idea to go out to bars and clubs by yourself. While Honduras is not seeing the political armed conflict common in most Watchlist countries this year, criminal gang violence is widespread. 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. And taxi driversprobably wont have enough change to cover a big bill, socarry small denominations. 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. Some areas have increased risk. There are quite a few cute Airbnbs in Honduras, and as long as you stay in one of the safer neighborhoods, wed say that renting an Airbnb is perfectly safe. 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. 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. Honduras hasn't specified exactly what the state of emergency would entail, but normally such measures temporarily suspend normal rules regulating arrests and searches; sometime limits on freedom of speech and assembly are implemented as well. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow, File), Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Chronic violence, climate crisis and the impacts of COVID-19 have deepened humanitarian needs and driven displacement. Utila is unlike the rest of mainland Honduras in just about every way. 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. At the same time, traveling alone can be stressful, boring, lonely, anddangerous in varying quantities. 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. In June, the OHCHR and IACHR jointly expressed concern that the new penal code disproportionately restricts freedoms of speech, press, and association and fails to criminalize torture committed by third parties acting on behalf of state agents. We can't put up any longer with workers being killed and paying extortion, Lanza said. Its a country with a big heart. Honduras has the misfortune of being situated between South American cocaine production and U.S. drug consumption. Just in case, thats No quiero compartir el taxi.. 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. San Pedro Sula is the most dangerous city, not just in Honduras, but in the whole world. 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. Namely, being robbed. That said, the governmentclaimsthere has been a 52%decreasein violent crime over the past five years. 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. Radio Globo directorDavid Romero, convicted of defamation in 2016, died in prison from Covid-19 in July. El Salvador and Honduras have been condemned by the "civilized" world. (KCAU) The Stanton County Sheriff's Office said that they've cited two men who allegedly killed an American Bald Eagle. In these demonstrations, more than 1,500 were arrested and30 people were killed. While homicide rates have dropped in recent years, Honduras is still the most dangerous country in the region, with 38 homicides per 100,000 people. Do your own research. The likelihood of you getting caught up in all that relies very much on you being somehow related to one of the gangs. People live here with children, by themselves, as couples, some retire here, and some people have even started up their own hostelsor otherbusinesses. It is not just murder, it's also the shocking numbers of rape, assault, and domestic violence cases, happening with near-total impunity. Abuses by security forces, including alleged collusion with criminal organizations, and weak state institutions, have contributed to the persistence of gang violence. A law prohibiting same-sex couples from adopting childrentook effect in 2019. So youll likely escape having to pay war tax (or facing the consequences). Because of human rights, crime has gone on so long, because human rights defend the criminal, and it shouldnt be like that, she said. Read on for more detailed information on how to have a safe trip to Honduras. Excessive use of force by police and deployment of the military in public security operations continued in 2020. We get it. Youll get the, If youve got no locals to ask, just use your eyes. Patrick said the inmates were captured about 7:45 AM in downtown Newton. Home to the second biggest barrier reef in the world, beaches, and sparkling turquoise sea, as well as a whole host of Mayan ruins, amazing coffee, and the second largest rainforest in the Americas, Honduras is extremely biodiverse: there are 770 bird species alone. It may not exactly be classed as safe, but Honduras shouldnt be ignored. For years, street gangs have charged protection money from bus and taxi drivers and store owners in Honduras, as in neighboring El Salvador. Keeping yourself away from any situation to do with them will be a good way to keep yourself pretty much safe. It has experienced one of the world's highest homicide rates, with multiple forms of violence linked to drug trafficking groups. You can definitely push your luck by staying in the wrong neighborhood as well. Theres alsoLa Ceiba. All of these are in Santa Barbara Department, which also sees hijackings aroundTela, La Ceiba, andEl Progresoas well asTrujillo. To Desafio, the Barrio 18 gang in Honduras was everything. 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. Honduras isnt a gay-friendly country, however, there are some movements that are going in the right direction. Click here to read the full story: 6 gang members killed in Honduras prison. Theres a huge problem with single-use plastics in the Earths water and you dont have any assurance whatsoever that your bottles will be properly disposed of, even if youre careful to sort them in the proper bin. International Rescue Committee is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. 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. 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. They are taxed by gangs. Sign in How Gangs Control Honduras VICE News 8.42M subscribers. Were not going to say its thesafest place to travel,nor is it going to be the easiestplace to travel as a solo female. Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2020 was 36.33, a 13.52% decline from 2019. Members of the military police of public order patrol a street during a special operation against criminal gangs in Tegucigalpa on 6 December. Use these tips to reduce the risk, but we also recommend that you pack some medication fit for a bad stomach. Check in and let people know your plans. In fact, most people in Honduras have a family member in a gang. Dont expect to discover an undeveloped private island. Donate now to support the IRC's life-changing work in Honduras, across northern Central America, and worldwide. So. FromLimonestoLa Union, fromGualacotoSan Esteban,and fromLa EsperanzatoGraciasThese routes can bedangerous. Honduras is one of the Western Hemisphere's deadliest countries for journalists, with security forces representing their biggest threat, Reporters Without Borders noted in 2021. This perception has grown despite a slight reduction in homicides this year, according to preliminary data, and a significant drop over the past decade since Honduras held the ignominious title of the worlds most violent country. The Inescapable Prison of Barrio 18 in Honduras, Death, Taxes, and Extortion: Why Latin American Companies Keep Paying Up, Timber Mafias - Preying on Latin Americas Forests, State and Community Responses to Extortion, A Mayor and a Wave of Narco Violence on Guatemala's Pacific, One Party, Many Crimes: The Case of Honduras National Party, Drug Trafficking and Political Protection in Paraguay: The Case of Cucho Cabaa, How Colombia Regulators Became Purveyors of Illegal Wood, The Logging Barons of Catacamas, Honduras, How Drug Cartels Moved into Illegal Logging in Mexico, Municipalities Fight Back in Guatemalas Gang-Preyed Upon Neighborhoods, How the Private Sector Helped Counter Rural Extortion in El Salvador. Members include officers from the police, the military, and the Attorneys General Office. 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.. 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. msn back to msn home news Skip To Navigation For years, street gangs have charged protection money from bus and taxi drivers and store owners in Honduras, as in neighboring El Salvador. Individuals and state agents continute to threaten and attack journalists, press freedom groups report. It suspends some Constitutional rights and gives police more powers to arrest and hold suspects. There is limited data on the effectiveness of the program in Honduras. Get a quote below or read our in-depth review! 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. Its a wild world out there. Classes were broadcast on television, radio, and online, in some cases with assignments sent via Whatsapp. 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. We hope these measures work and remain in place.. So keep that in mind and have a read of our safety tips for solo female travelers thinking of taking a trip to Honduras. Download Historical Data. Here, you will find safety knowledge and advice for travelling Honduras. Locals have to pay war taxes which keeps the poverty rate high as well. If we didnt have Bukeles example, we could probably look for some control and security responses based on strengthening institutions.. TEGUCIGALPA (Reuters) - Honduran authorities reported on Monday the discovery of more than 1.6 million coca leaf bushes in the most important. Travel smart and make sure your safety and security is your number one priority. In 2014, the United Nations reported that 95 percent of cases of sexual violence and femicide in Honduras were never even investigated. Theyre old U.S. school buses that are poorly maintained,andovercrowded. Over60% of the populationlive below the poverty line. That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we dont believe are up to scratch. In certain areas, yes Honduras is safe to travel for families. Get your accommodation to either recommenda good company or just book one for you. Theres more nature here than you can shake a stick at. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. These drug trafficking gangs rule peoples lives. Extortion in the Northern Triangle is predominantly done from prisons, yet prison populations have been on the rise. Almendares had repeatedly received death threats since 2017 in relation to his reporting. 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 vaccine doses arrived in the Honduran capital on October 4 2021. Honduras, long one of the poorest countries in Latin America, is now also among the most violent and crime-ridden. There is no such thing as a perfect safety guide, and this article is no different. Not all U.S. presidents are missed once they leave the White House. Dont drink the water without treating, and steer clear of ice cubes,too. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. The flavors, spices and. The rate of young people killing other young people is down to twomain gangs:Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) andBarrio 18. Honduras isnt exactly what wed callsafe. There are high levels of crime 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. From 2011 to 2017, the number of killings in Honduras actually dropped, from 87 per 100,000 to 44. Gangs kill, disappear, rape, or displace those who resist. Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency against gang crimes like extortion. Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency to fight gang crimes like extortion. In the 2010s, Honduras' homicide rate skyrocketed, peaking in 2011 and slowly declining since. Whilst many people DO live here, it doesnt mean Honduras is safe to live. Efforts to reform public-security institutions have stalled. By 2020 they want an additional milliontourists annually. So no. LGBTpeople in Honduras are frequently the targets of violence and discrimination, according to Human Rights Watch research. Certain routes that these take have been the target ofarmed attacks. 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. Or gangs attacking Honduran citizens for not paying war tax. Theres no reason to get mixed up with a gang in Honduras. You basically pay for safety, but better safe than sorry wed say. 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.. STANTON COUNTY, Neb. Youre connected. Almost 110,000 Hondurans were returned in 2019, mostly from Mexico. Garza is wanted in Honduras for homicide. As a result, humanitarian needs for food, health, nutrition and protection have increased. Two private security officers were charged. Suddenly you find yourself surrounded by backpackers, dive shops, hostels, burger shacks, smoothie stands, and pirate bars. Honduras Private Sector and Anti-Extortion Police: An Unholy Alliance? A ferry also runs betweenTrujilloandGuanaja. Get fresh updates on organized crime from across the region delivered to your inbox. All rights reserved. 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. But travelers DO take these buses. This includes 2,838,450 Pfizer doses and 3,250,140 Moderna doses. Until his life grew increasingly violent. Youll need to be a confident traveler. 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. The government bans emergency contraception, known as the morningafter pill, which can prevent pregnancy after rape, unprotected sex, or contraceptive failure. Sign up for our newsletter and get the best travel tips delivered right to your inbox. Schools were closed from March onward due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 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. 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. Jesse Watters: Buying mace in Manhattan is almost as hard as getting a gun. It is honestly NOT safe to drink the water in Honduras. We strive to provide the most relevant travel information on the web and always appreciate input from our readers (nicely, please!). 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. Its prettyextreme. Tegucigalpa. The US is losing allies in Latin America just as production of cocaine, fentanyl, and other synthetic drugs is going through the roof. And Honduras has been struggling to build representative democracy, to fight corruption and crime. 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. Marvin Damin Castro Molina, who, as part of the Coordination of the Southern Social Environmental Movement for Life, fought mining, agro-industry, and hydroelectric projects, was abducted and found dead in Choluteca in July 2020. Women - Honduras has the fifth-highest rate of violence against women in the world. 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. Sat Navs might not always tell you the best route. In September, the OHCHR and IACHR expressed concern regarding the continued spread of the virus in prisons.