13818096d2d51592c honduras crime and safety report 2022
Most crime victims are members of rival gangs, small business owners who resist gang extortion, passengers on public transportation, or those involved in land tenure disputes. Honduras's prison population has doubled over the past decade, partly due to a 2013 reform that greatly expanded the use of mandatory pre-trial detention. Cruise ship industry contacts report that approximately one million U.S. citizens enter the country by ship every year, primarily in Roatn, but also in La Ceiba on the northern coast. Traffickers exploit Honduran women and children in sex trafficking within the country and in other countries such as Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Spain, and the United States. Review OSACs report, Security In Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights. Consider looking into aggregate data we have for Crime in Honduras. The government demonstrated overall increasing efforts compared to the previous reporting period, considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its anti-trafficking capacity; therefore Honduras remained on Tier 2. Review OSACs reports, The Healthy Way, Traveling with Medication, Im Drinking What in My Water?, Shaken: The Donts of Alcohol Abroad, Health 101: How to Prepare for Travel, and Fire Safety Abroad. However, with respect to sex trafficking, these penalties were not commensurate with those prescribed for other serious crimes, such as rape. Report on the U.S. Strategy for Addressing the Root causes of Migration The Mexico 2017 Crime and Safety Report for Mexico City by the US Department of State's Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) indicates that crimes such as armed robberies, kidnappings, car thefts, credit card fraud and residential theft are "daily concerns" (US 24 Feb. 2017). Counterfeit Honduran lempiras (currency) are common, especially in the 100 and 500 denominations. The location and timing of criminal activity are unpredictable. The Government of Honduras does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so. NGOs reported authorities did not properly identify children forced to engage in illegal activities by criminal groups, reporting that the government may have inappropriately treated such children as criminals instead of victims. Municipalities With the Highest Number of Homicides, 600 500 400 478 300 410 200 100 251 112 101 100 94 69 61 56 54 54 54 53 50 45 41 40 37 35 0, January to December 2019, Secretariat of Security Honduran National Police, Honduran Municipalities With Highest Percentage of Homicides 25.0% 20.0% 15.0% 10.0% 5.0% 0.0%, Honduran Municipalities With Highest Percentage of Homicides. This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa. The U.S. Department of State has assessed Tegucigalpa as being a CRITICAL-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. Visas - Most countries do not need a visa in order to enter Honduras for any stays shorter than 30 days.Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months past your date of arrival. Honduras Extends, Expands State of Emergency Meant to Fight Crime Government agencies, including CICESCT, its local committees, the Public Ministry, the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Supreme Court of Justice, and the Secretariat of Education, provided anti-trafficking trainings to police, lawyers, judges, other government officials, tourism professionals, civil society organizations, teachers, and members of the public throughout the country; due to the pandemic, the government conducted the majority of trainings virtually, which allowed them to reach more stakeholders and decrease costs. The main problems are related to corruption, robbery, and vandalism. honduras crime and safety report 2022. Gracias a Dios is a remote location where narcotics trafficking is frequent, infrastructure is weak, government services are limited, and police/military presence is scarce. Head of Police Gustavo Snchez 7 Feb said state of emergency, first imposed in Dec 2022 to tackle extortion, had reduced average number of homicides per day from nine in 2022 to seven so far in 2023. . Learn about employment opportunities across the UNSDG. According to InSight Crime, the crime rate has decreased by 26%, which is what the Honduran government is aiming to work on if they expect more visitors per year. Some passengers opt to travel armed when using public transportation, which sometimes results in armed confrontations where innocent bystanders are injured or killed in the crossfire. . Copan, Roatan/Bay Islands, and other tourist destinations have lower crime rates than other parts of the country. The immediate response team provided 67 victims of trafficking and related crimes with assistance, including legal advice, immediate protection, and psychological services. Cruise lines and port agencies offer approved tour companies offering packages. Level of crime: 66.67: High: Crime increasing in the past 3 years: 78.57: . This report of the Central America Monitor aims to define a baseline for the indicators related to reducing violence and combatting organized crime in Honduras. in Choluteca: the cities of Apacilagua, Orocuina and San Isidro. Information published on this website may contain errors. The U.S. Department of State has assessed Lima as being a CRITICAL-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. The government offered services to both forced labor and sex trafficking victims but identified a disproportionately low number of forced labor victims compared to the estimated prevalence of forced labor in the country. There are no legal cases involving instances of terrorism affecting U.S. citizens or facilities brought before the Honduran judicial system, and no reports of judicial developments that would have a negative impact on U.S. counterterrorism efforts. Land title procedures have been an issue leading to investment disputes involving U.S. nationals who are landowners. Pilar Lagos, Allan Chan, and PaulVanDeCarrfrom the Development Coordination Office (DCO) provided editorial support. These tensions have resulted in intense protests and violence. Increase investigations, prosecutions, and convictions of suspected traffickers, including complicit officials and forced labor crimes. Crimes against U.S. citizens in the past year have ranged from petty theft to violent offenses, including armed robbery, home invasion, sexual assault, and several instances of murder and attempted murder. As a result, criminals operate with a high degree of impunity. In November 2019, Tegucigalpa authorities began developing a luxury housing project in the La Tigra bioreserve, just outside of the city. The Basilica of Suyapa in Tegucigalpa, also known as Suyapa Church or Cathedral, is an important religious site and popular tourist destination. 0. Following anticorruption protests in 2015, President Hernandez signed an agreement with the Organization of American States to form the Mission Against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras (MACCIH). Political, Economic, Religious, and Ethnic Violence. Avoid using Collectivos (white sedan taxis with a sticker on the windshield denoting its established route), Roleteros (private white sedan taxis with no established routes), and Rapiditos (small buses that pick up multiple riders). Always carry a mobile phone in case of emergency. Incidents of piracy off the coast of Honduras can occur. Honduras is far more deadly than even the most violent U.S. cities. The U.S. Embassy estimates at least 30,000 U.S. citizens reside in Honduras. Members of the LGBTI+ community have reported violent assaults because of gender identity and sexual orientation. The women who have lost their lives violently this year are women who can no longer contribute to the economy and development of Honduras", she regretted. Honduras Crime Rate & Statistics 1990-2023, Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2020 was, Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2019 was, Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2018 was, Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2017 was. Honduras has a long history of sustaining damage due to powerful tropical storms and hurricanes. Law enforcement, immigration, and social service providers had written procedures for identifying and assisting victims, including screening for indicators of trafficking among vulnerable populations and referring potential victims to CICESCTs immediate response team. However, it is situated in a high crime area and has been the site of numerous armed robberies and thefts. Union leaders and labor activists in both the public and private sector face harassment, dismissal, and violence for their activities. An official website of the United States Government, Office of the Special Envoy for Critical and Emerging Technology, Office of the U.S. The new amendments to the penal code lowered the penalties for trafficking crimes, resulting in penalties that were not commensurate with those prescribed for other grave crimes, such as rape. The government cooperated with the Governments of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico to investigate trafficking cases and detain suspects. When possible, travel in groups. San Pedro Sula is not a safe place to travel, with a high crime rate. Title insurance is not widely available in Honduras and approximately 80% of the privately held land in the country is either untitled or improperly titled. Through this initiative I can be a spokesperson for women who experience this type of violence and I can use my platforms to inform and raise awareness about the issue in a male-dominatedsociety where we normalize this type of situation, said Massay Crisantho, who is and activist and advocate for the human rights and the culture of the Garifunaethnic community. The juvenile penal system issued a sentence of six months house arrest for one convicted trafficker who was a child. This is the second consecutive year that the murder rate falls below 40 per 100,000 population since 2014, which. OSAC encourages travelers to use this report to gain baseline knowledge of security conditions in Honduras. These penalties were sufficiently stringent. Weather Alert for U.S. Citizens - Tropical Storm Julia (7 October, 2022) Message for U.S. Citizens: Absentee Voting Week is October 1-8, 2022 (28 September, 2022) Message for U.S. Citizens: Town Hall with Ambassador Dogu and Consular Services also Available in Roatan, Honduras (14 September, 2022) However, kidnapping figures are likely lower than reality, as families of kidnapping victims often pay ransoms without reporting these crimes to police out of fear of retribution. Major cities (e.g. Travelers should always drive with their doors locked and windows rolled up to avoid potential robberies at traffic lights and other places, such as congested downtown streets. Caption: Ana Cruz of Asociacin Calidad de Vida, an anti-violence organization. Humanitarian Assistance: Since April 2021, USAID reached approximately 1.9 million people impacted by recurrent droughts, COVID-19, and severe damage from Hurricanes Eta and Iota in northern. Among the 45 Cuban medical professionals the government contracted to assist during the pandemic, some may have been forced to work by the Cuban government. "Indeed, women are the affected ones, but as men, we have a greater opportunity to influence other men and make them reflect on how we impact our sisters, friends and colleagues with our behaviour. ", expressed the UN Resident Coordinator in Honduras, Alice Shackelford, on Twitter. Additionally, illegal drugs are for sale in many of the popular tourist areas during the evening hours. "My respect to the brave women survivors of domestic violence! Contact OSACs Latin America team with any questions or to join. The UNSDG guides, supports, tracks and oversees the coordination of development operations in 162 countries and territories. Honduras - United States Department of State OSAC Our message is that we shouldnt leave womens and feminist institutions that fight to eradicate violence against women alone [on their mission], said Ana Cruz of Asociacin Calidad de Vida, an anti-violence organization. There are claims of widespread corruption in land sales, deed filing, and dispute resolution, including claims against attorneys, real estate companies, judges, and local officials. My decision was to die." First Lady Ana Garcia de Hernandezs Migration Task Force continued to coordinate a whole-of-government approach to informing Hondurans about the dangers of irregular migration, including trafficking risks, and the government continued public awareness campaigns warning of trafficking risks along migratory routes through Guatemala and Mexico. It is urgent to pass the law on safe houses where women who manage to get away from violent situations are taken care of. Caption: Honduras has the highest femicide rates in Latin America. The ambulance does not have paramedics or emergency medical equipment; it functions solely as transport to hospitals. Organized criminal groups, including local and transnational gangs and narcotics traffickers, were significant perpetrators of violent crimes and committed acts of homicide, torture, kidnapping, extortion, human trafficking, intimidation, and other threats and violence directed against human rights defenders, judicial authorities, lawyers, Is Roatn Safe - Is it Safe for Tourists to Travel on the Island of Roatn? According to the Peruvian National Police ( PNP ), crime increased 15% in 2021. Please check your download folder. Reach the local police anywhere in Honduras by dialing 911. Local, Regional, and International Terrorism Threats/Concerns. Caption: Activist Massay Crisantho uses her influence and far-reaching platforms to advocate for the rights of women and girls in the country. For more in-depth information, review OSACs Honduras country page for original OSAC reporting, consular messages, and contact information, some of which may be available only to private-sector representatives with an OSAC password. Institutionalize training for anti-trafficking police and prosecutorial units, judges, and CICESCTs immediate response team. This amount was an increase from 5.53 million lempiras ($221,400) provided in 2019, though officials reported they lacked adequate financial and human resources to provide comprehensive victim care, support victims throughout the country, and collect and analyze victim data. s Honduras Safe For Tourists? Expert Tips & Advice for 2023 - Layer Culture Exercise extreme caution driving on isolated stretches of road and passing other vehicles on mountainous curves. Death threats and gang violence forcing more families to - ReliefWeb Travelers in those areas should use extra caution. The U.S. Department of State has assessed Tegucigalpa as being a MEDIUM-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. Review OSACs reports, Cybersecurity Basics, Best Practices for Maximizing Security on Public Wi-Fi, Traveling with Mobile Devices: Trends & Best Practices, and Satellite Phones: Critical or Contraband? The San Pedro Sula area has seen armed robberies against tourist vans, minibuses, and cars traveling from the airport to area hotels. The San Pedro Sula area has seen armed robberies against tourist vans, minibuses, and cars traveling from the airport to area hotels, and there have also been armed robberies along the road to Copan. Local law allows the police to detain someone for up to 24 hours for administrative processing. Institutions in remote Honduras are permeated by organized drug crime We have provided a few examples below that you can copy and paste to your site: Your image export is now complete. The government has a police investigative unit dedicated to investigating violent crimes against the LGBTI+ and other vulnerable communities, composed of Public Ministry prosecutors, members of ATIC (prosecutors investigative agency), and the Honduran National Police; however, it has limited resources and functions primarily in the major urban areas. Although crime and violent crime occur in all parts of Honduras, the north coast and central portions of the country have historically had the countrys highest crime rates. The law on safe houses, which has been stalled in the National Congress since 2018, aims to recognize and fund safe houses to provide care for survivors of multiple forms of violence, ensuring. During the presentation of these findings, Alice Shackelford called for "changing the narrative and expressing our intolerance towards this type of violence". Copyright 2023 United Nations Sustainable Development Group. This resulted in multiple protests by environmentalist groups claiming the project is illegal due to the damage to the bioreserve and exacerbating the citys already dire water shortage. However, protesters will also block, key intercity transportation routes and intracity intersections with burning tires, rocks and other debris, to include the roads leading to the international airports in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, and the CA-5 and CA-11 highways. 2.2. If you are not sure about your visa status, visit www.doyouneedvisa.com which will let you know whether or not you need visa based on your nationality and the country you want to visit. Useful Information. Is Honduras Safe to Visit in 2023? | Travellers what did the menendez brothers parents do to them osac crime and safety report honduras Posted on July 8, 2021by Published by at June 7, 2022. The Honduran government is modernizing some of the main transportation road networks to four-lane highways, which can lead to increased travel times because of ongoing construction. Alerts and Messages - U.S. Embassy in Honduras Those traveling with tour/missionary groups report fewer criminal incidents. Officials flew Garza, a 48-year-old . To find out more about the results of our work in this area and in others, read the UNSDG Chair's report on the Office for Development Coordination. According to the UNDP report on Honduras, in 2020, the primary school enrollment rate reached 92%. Article 219 of the Honduran penal code, which came into effect in June 2020, criminalized sex and labor trafficking and prescribed penalties of five to eight years imprisonment. The government identified fewer victims overall and investigated, prosecuted, and convicted fewer suspects. "Two years ago, I came asking for help at a time when I couldn't take it anymore, to the extent that I intended to attempt against my life, with no hope for anything. Experts observed that judges lack of specialized knowledge or experience in handling trafficking cases impeded successful prosecution and conviction of cases. Animals and people wander onto the roads. Despite significant Honduras 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report. PDF Crime a New and Template Insecurity for Future in Honduras Wola Increase efforts to identify victims, including among particularly vulnerable populations such as adult migrants, and provide assistance to all victims, including forced labor victims. the Copan Mayan ruins and Roatn). Drug trafficking and gang activity, which includes local micro-trafficking of narcotics and extortion, are the main causes of violent crime in Honduras. Since 1995, 115 U.S. citizens were reported murdered in Honduras; of these, just 32 cases have been resolved. Honduras's most dangerous cities or towns: Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, La Ceiba, El Progreso, El Paraso at Copn, Tocoa, Olancho, La Lima, Puerto Corts. Some victims provided testimony through pre-recorded interviews in secure Gesell chambers or, due to the pandemic, video calls. Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2017 was 40.98, a 26.23% decline from 2016. Honduras | World | The Guardian The U.S. Department of State strongly recommends purchasing international health insurance before traveling internationally. Instruct the driver not to pick up other passengers, agree on the fare before you depart, and have small bills available for payment, as taxi drivers often do not make change. Download the State Departments Crime Victims Assistance brochure. The public transportation sector is a regular target of extortion, and experiences higher levels of homicide than many other sectors. Country-specific Vaccination and Health Guidance. Violence linked to land disputes also occurs, particularly in the Bay Islands and Bajo Aguan Valley in northern Honduras. Traffickers particularly target LGBTQI+ Hondurans, migrants, IDPs, persons with disabilities, children in child labor, children whose parents have migrated, and individuals living in areas controlled by organized criminal groups. Discrimination occurs against ethnic minorities and the LGBTI+ community. Garza is wanted in Honduras for homicide. Although many tourists come to this city, there is a high crime rate, which is worth remembering when planning a trip to this city. Visitors can send general inquiries to the communications team. See the description of highways/areas to be avoided in the Traffic Safety and Road Conditions section below for details. Travel advice and advisories for Honduras How Safe Is San Pedro Sula for Travel? - Abroad Criminals expanded the use of social network platforms to recruit victims, often with false promises of employment, and continued to target vulnerable populations. In Honduras, the United Nations is committed to continue working together with a wide range ofsectors of the country in achieving a more just and equitable society, where it isnt dangerous to be a woman. Overseas Security Advisory Council - U.S. Embassy in El Salvador My appreciation and congratulations to Ana Cruz and the fantastic work of safe houses! Honduras received support from the Millennium Challenge Corporation in the development of an e-procurement platform and public procurement auditing. CICESCT maintained a public website and launched social media accounts to share information on human trafficking with the public. Perpetrators of sexual assaults are often armed. Honduran law requires access to buildings for persons with disabilities; however, there are limited facilities for individuals with disabilities. Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2019 was 42.01, a 7.91% increase from 2018. Air pollution can aggravate or lead to respiratory problems during the dry season due to widespread forest fires and agricultural burning. 0. On May 30, protesters blocked several main avenues in Tegucigalpa, including access to Toncontn International Airport (TGU). U.S. citizens should exercise caution while sailing or mooring in Honduran waters. Avoid traveling at night and always drive with doors locked and windows rolled up to deter potential robberies at traffic lights and on congested downtown streets. Many of these U.S. citizens are church and humanitarian aid volunteers working throughout the country, including in gang-controlled neighborhoods. Crime in Roatan, Honduras. Natalia Lozano is a Honduran lawyer, working in the fields of human, women's, LGBT, and youth rights as the Honduran National Coordinator of Right Here Right Now. Review OSACs report, All That You Should Leave Behind. Municipalities With Highest Number of Deaths Attributed to Traffic Accidents 200 150 100 179 177 50 61 52 39 0 36 35 34 33 32 31 30 29 24 23 23 22 21 19 16, January to December 2019, Secretariat of Security Honduran National Police Honduras 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report. According to the International Rescue Committee, femicides are a major concern in Honduras. Crisis in Honduras: Ongoing violence and climate shocks They practice "war taxing", which is essentially just demanding money from people. Roads have poor lighting and markings. The government modernized its national identification card system and began distributing new national identification cards in February 2021. Intentional homicide does not include all intentional killing; the difference is usually in the organization of the killing. Three LGBTQ+ People Were Killed in Honduras on Same Day Avoid non-essential travel to the following areas and departments due to instances of violent crime, increased gang activity and violent demonstrations: within 20 km of the border with Guatemala with the exception of Copn Ruinas. A significant percentage of vehicles are in disrepair, underpowered, beyond their lifecycle, and would not meet U.S. road safety standards. Story written by Maria ElenaClix, Communications and Advocacy Officer at the Office of the Resident Coordinator in Honduras. Honduran law allowed foreign victims to receive temporary or permanent residency status, including authorization to work, though the government did not identify any foreign victims in 2020. According to the respected nonpartisan group Honduran Social Forum on External Debt, corruption cost Honduras about $10.3 billion between 2014 and 2018, the equivalent of 10% to 12.5% of the . However, the government did not meet the minimum standards in several key areas. The 18th Street and MS-13 (Mara Salvatrucha) gangs are the most active and powerful. Counterfeit products are predominately but not solely in the pharmaceutical and apparel industries.