Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2020 was 36.33, a 13.52% decline from 2019. Our work is costly and high risk. 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. 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. 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. Read the entire Travel Advisory. This is due to negotiationsbetween criminal groups and the government, and possibly because of economic aid from the US. Honduras newspaper, TV channel news, online portal news, and magazine sites are getting popularity day by day around the world. We wouldnt recommend members of the LGBTQ+ community to visit Honduras unless theyre prepared to keep any sort of affection behind closed doors. These drug trafficking gangs rule peoples lives. 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 . So keep that in mind and have a read of our safety tips for solo female travelers thinking of taking a trip to Honduras. Seeing the world without anyone to answer to, getting to challenge yourself andgrow as a person. Drug trafficking gangs, corruption, and extreme poverty keep Honduras down. And there are roads that have higher levels ofattacks,including carjacking. Following domestic and international criticism, the government backtracked and a week later re-established constitutional free speech guarantees. Theyre old U.S. school buses that are poorly maintained,andovercrowded. 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. One good thing I can say about Roatan is that the dive sites are excellent around the island. They are taxed by gangs. And when it comes to the extreme violence of Honduras, thosevery highfigures come from gang violence. Well Public transportation can be alittle trickyin Honduras, and its not always safe. 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. Theres a lot to learn about Honduras that goes beyond gangs and beaches. ThisCentral Americancountry suffers from what many countries in the region have suffered from or are currently battling with namely corruption, gangs,anddrugs. Honduras is one of the murder capitals of the world. And what you had, you know, after the coup, while the U.S. did cut assistance, it was very. Violent organized crime continues to disrupt Honduran society and push many people to leave the country. Your little ones get to see the Mesoamerican Reef,thesecond largest barrier reef in the world. All of these are in Santa Barbara Department, which also sees hijackings aroundTela, La Ceiba, andEl Progresoas well asTrujillo. Please donate. Honduras major drug trafficking groups like the Cachiros and the Valles have largely been dismantled with the arrest and extradition of top leaders, but vestiges of these clans continue to operate. Lanza said drivers had been asking for a crackdown for years. Corruption, fear of retribution, and limited access to essential health services . You basically pay for safety, but better safe than sorry wed say. We then verify, write and edit, providing the tools to generate real impact. Certain routes that these take have been the target ofarmed attacks. Since 2010, 42. A local TV correspondent needed to do a live shot for one of the countrys most-watched news programs. Honduras isnt a gay-friendly country, however, there are some movements that are going in the right direction. Violence has long ruled here. FILE PHOTO: Police raid a house after Honduras' President Xiomara Castro (not pictured) mobilised . Disclaimer: Safety conditions change all over the world on a daily basis. (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. A quarter of women and girls become pregnant before turning 18the second-highest rate in Latin America. Visiting Honduras right now is as safe as it ever was:not very. Itcan be safe as a solo female traveler in Honduras. Honduran women face daily struggles. Sometimes the drivers are assaulted. Dont eat at tourist traps. Youll get the, If youve got no locals to ask, just use your eyes. The number one network in cable, FNC has been the most-watched television news channel for 18 consecutive years. 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. Its not very safe to drive in Honduras. During the first month of the measures, 39 criminal gangs were destroyed and 652 people were arrested, while 43 kilos of cocaine and thousands of grams and rocks of crack were seized, the police said. In terms of murder rate, it's the second most violent country in Central or South America, trailing only Venezuela. Human rights defenders have said they will monitor the measures. We are on the frontlines providing critical aid to crisis-affected people in more than 40 countries, including places on the 2022 Emergency Watchlist. The MS13 and Barrio 18 street gangs control urban neighborhoods in the countrys two major cities Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula and rural towns close to the border with El Salvador. This coastal city is more welcoming togringos than other places and features beaches fringed bycoral reefsand theres a lot of new development happening here. 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. Womenand girls who terminate pregnancies face prison sentences of up to six years. This is apretty safe area to visit. Taxis areall over the placein Honduras. The streets of major cities like Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula are gripped by crime and conflict. 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. The effort comes amid complaints by business owners, the transportation sector and ordinary Hondurans that extortion by criminals has risen in recent months. 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. The IACHR expressed concern in 2019 regarding the critical levels of impunity and inadequate and insufficient attention to victims of human rights violations. For years, street gangs have charged protection money from bus and taxi drivers and store owners in Honduras, as in neighboring El Salvador. If you see any outdated information in this guide, we would really appreciate it if you could reach out in the comments below. And were not going to lie,Honduras doesnt exactly lend itself to solo travel. Hondurans are warm and welcoming people whohave to live day in, day out with the violence in their country. It may not exactly be classed as safe, but Honduras shouldnt be ignored. msn back to msn home news Skip To Navigation They offer simple & flexible travel insurance, and safety advice to help you travel confidently. It suspends some Constitutional rights and gives police more powers to arrest and hold suspects. Every dollar supports our mission. 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. Members include officers from the police, the military, and the Attorneys General Office. Not all U.S. presidents are missed once they leave the White House. Extortion in Latin America continues to bring in fortunes for criminal gangs. In these demonstrations, more than 1,500 were arrested and30 people were killed. Honduras, long one of the poorest countries in Latin America, is now also among the most violent and crime-ridden. Already vulnerable people in Honduras live in an evolving humanitarian crisis, says IRC protection coordinator Zuleyma Chahin. Nope. 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. Politicians are manipulated by criminals or other politicians. In certain areas, yes Honduras is safe to travel for families. 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. Share this via Telegram A law prohibiting same-sex couples from adopting childrentook effect in 2019. Honduras isnt exactly what wed callsafe. But it has not yet resulted in an increase in police reports a key measure of public trust. Lots of travelers stick to bottled water,but please dont. 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. Share this via Printer, As More Climate Chaos Looms, Slashing Fossil Fuels Is Key. Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). As expected, the video went viral and the local newspapers made sure they put this trusted news source on their front page. Poor health infrastructure and limited access to sanitation services has contributed to the spread of the virus. Violent gang activity, such as extortion, violent street crime, rape, and narcotics and human trafficking, is widespread. Check in and let people know your plans. Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2019 was 42.01, a 7.91% increase from 2018. Of the 6,088,590 vaccine doses, 100% were donated in partnership with COVAX. Heres what you need to know about the growing crisis in Honduras. "Today at dawn, in a single operation, we transferred the first 2,000 gang . The data was compiled by Citizen Council for Public Security, Justice, and Peace, a Mexican. His security-at-all costs approach, and the reductions in violence and crime that have come with it, have found a captive audience in Honduras, but caused consternation among civil society, and closed down discussion of other options. So no. La Ceibaon the northern coast, with mountains, jungles, and beaches, is a chilled and adventurous area to explore. - The New York Times Inside Gang Territory In Honduras 'Either They Kill Us or We Kill Them' In one of the deadliest cities in the world, an embattled group of young men had little but their tiny. 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. Abortionisillegalin Honduras in all circumstances. And theyre generally safe. 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. 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. 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. The UNspecialrapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders called Honduras one of the most dangerous countries for human rights defenders in Latin America. It pays totravel smartin Honduras like ANYWHERE in the world. Here are three reasons the International Rescue Committees Emergency Watchlist ranks Honduras among 20 countries most at risk of worsening humanitarian crisis in 2022. Hardline policies, meanwhile, are popular because people think that theyre going to work but inevitably the track record is that they havent, said Malone. Security Minister Oscar Alvarez says police have identified two suspects among the five attackers . Late Thursday, Honduran President Xiomara Castro proposed a measure to limit constitutional The government relies heavily on the military for public security. So whilst its gettingsafer, its a slow process. 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. 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. There are some safety pointsthat travelers should know for anywhere they travel, but Honduras requires these special considerations. And Hondurascan be a safe place for solo female travelers, but wed only recommend it after some solo travel experience. https://t.co/xQGbbyZXXv. Plus theres Copan: the ancientMayanarchaeological site, complete with amazing sculptures. So how do they do it?. Sexual violence and oppression are frequent tragedies here. via REUTERS. In January 2020, the OHCHR released a report saying that the armed forces and military police had used excessiveeven lethalforce in response to the protests that followed the 2017 election. In Honduras, Police Accused Of Corruption, Killings Hernndez ran for reelection in 2017 a controversial move in Honduras. 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. 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. Access to health care services was a concern in Honduras prior to the pandemic, particularly for rural and economically marginalized communities. 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.. TEGUCIGALPA, Jan 7 (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. Wed say only experienced, intrepid travelers should tackle this one alone. Radio Globo directorDavid Romero, convicted of defamation in 2016, died in prison from Covid-19 in July. 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. This is an issue that has not been taken seriously by the Honduran state.. Investigating organized crime is an expensive and often risky enterprise. By MARLON GONZLEZ November 25, 2022. Women in Guatemala: The New Faces of Extortion? Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency to fight gang crimes like extortion. If you use our guide, do your own research, and practise common sense, you will have a safe trip to Honduras. Heres how to not get ill whilst trying local delights. The Bay Islands are the only palace in Honduras that can (kind of) be considered somewhat safe. 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. Share this via Twitter Make sure to check the reviews from previous travellers to check for any problems during their stay. 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. 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. There are 37 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants, and all 18 provinces are. Juan Orlando Hernndez extolled his achievements as. 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 poverty resulting from all this is what youll have to watch out for. A Honduran woman and her children manage to cross the remnants of a bridge destroyed by Hurricane Iota. Since 2012, the Honduran police have implemented a program sponsored by the US Department of State called Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT) which aims to discourage youth crime and gang recruitment. Abuses by security forces, including alleged collusion with criminal organizations, and weak state institutions, have contributed to the persistence of gang violence. Activistssaythegovernments Mechanism for the Protection of Journalists, Human Rights Defenders and Operators of Justice, created in 2015, lacks uniform criteria and is ineffective. By BRENT MAZE. Bukeles example resonates in societies with a fragile institutional framework and with a tendency towards populism and authoritarianism, said Ismael Moreno, a human rights defender. Close, Is Honduras Safe for Travel? 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. That means suncream, sun-hats, and limiting time in the sun. You should ask locals on the best routes to take to any given place. Many women are choosing to flee the violence in their communities. In Honduras, the types of danger include, but are not limited to, violent gang activity, trafficking, rape, street crime and armed robbery. Get a quote below or read our in-depth review! Reconsider travel to Honduras due to crime. The island attracts a very different crowd indeed. You can catch a ferry from the mainland atLa Ceibato eitherUtilaorRoatan. Violent organized crime continues to disrupt Honduran society and push many people to leave the country. Its dangerous there.. Marred by corruption and abuse, the judiciary and police remain largely ineffective. By 2020 they want an additional milliontourists annually. For example, theBay Islandsaresaferthan the mainland. 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. Hondurass prison population has doubled over the past decade, partly due to a 2013 reform that greatly expanded the use of mandatory pre-trial detention. We do our best to advise but this info may already be out of date. Late Thursday, Nov. 24, Castro proposed a measure to limit constitutional rights so as to round up gang members. 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. The vaccine doses arrived in the Honduran capital on October 4 2021. Wed classify it as generally hazardous. Every year, more than 100,000 Hondurans are internally displaced, migrate, seek protection abroad, or are deported back to Honduras. 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 . Most serious crime does not affect tourists, but attacks on foreigners, including armed robbery and sexual assault, do sometimes occur. if youre visiting Honduras, you will have to avoid this city completely. Weve made it pretty clear that Honduras isnt the safest country. Theyre fairly easy to use, but be aware of the risks.
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