Union leaders and labor activists in both the public and private sector face harassment, dismissal, and violence for their activities. Major cities (e.g. Scuba Certification; Private Scuba Lessons; Scuba Refresher for Certified Divers; Try Scuba Diving; Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox) According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime 2011 Global Study on Homicide, Honduras has the highest per capita homicide rate in the world, with 86 homicides for every 100,000 inhabitants. Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha. Except in some very rural locations, police are aware of a U.S. citizen detainee's right to contact the Embassy. In 2019, there were 1,500 traffic fatalities throughout the country. OSAC has developed into an enormously successful joint venture, with U.S. companies and organizations receiving the tools they need to cope with security issues in a . In March 2019, the Honduran Government created the National Urban Transportation Security Force to combat extortion and other crimes perpetrated by gangs. Discrimination occurs against ethnic minorities and the LGBTI+ community. Review OSACs report, Kidnapping: The Basics. Copan, Roatan/Bay Islands, and other tourist destinations have lower crime rates than other parts of the country. international and local public pressure, MACCIHs mandate ended in January 2020 without agreement for its extension between the OAS and the Honduran government. The government maintained strong protection efforts, with CICESCTs immediate response team providing robust assistance to victims throughout the year. AUDIE CORNISH,. During the pandemic, violence cases against women increased significantly; the number of emergency calls rose to 282 per day. The police generally treat detained foreigners well. 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. Visitors can send general inquiries to the communications team. Meanwhile, 59% reported having been assaulted at least once while a passenger in a taxi (Colectivo and Rolatero) in the past 12 months, 32% twice, 6% three times, and 3% more than three times. 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. Some victims provided testimony through pre-recorded interviews in secure Gesell chambers or, due to the pandemic, video calls. 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). U.S. citizens should exercise caution while sailing or mooring in Honduran waters. Honduras lacks the infrastructure to maintain water purity and food safety. The government adapted its training and awareness-raising activities targeting groups at high risk of trafficking and potential first responders to online platforms, reaching a broader geographic range of stakeholders. Three U.S. citizens were reported murdered in Honduras between January and September 2013. Institutions in remote Honduras are permeated by organized drug crime Ecuador Crime. Safety and crime information on Ecuador | CountryReports Institutionalize training for anti-trafficking police and prosecutorial units, judges, and CICESCTs immediate response team. Some would-be muggers and gang members keep to a daily schedule, riding city buses from one stop to the next, committing criminal acts with impunity along the way. The rate of young people killing other young people is down to two main gangs : Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and Barrio 18. Sources indicate that organized criminal organizations have been . The government maintained prevention efforts. Historically, governments have. As a result of Honduran government efforts in close cooperation with the United States, homicide rates have fallen from 86.0 per 100,000 residents in 2012 to 43.6 per 100,000 at the end of 2019. Honduras - United States Department of State Chicago, for example, has a per capita murder rate of 24 per 100,000. In 2020,278 women were murdered in the countryand, as of November 2021, more than 240 women have lost their lives violently. The violence is carried out by local drug trafficking groups, gangs, corrupt security forces and transnational criminal organizations mainly from Mexico and Colombia. Counterfeit products are predominately but not solely in the pharmaceutical and apparel industries. Only sealed commercial water containers (bottles) are considered safe to drink. The UN takes all reports of possible wrongdoing seriously. Global AIDS Coordinator and Global Health Diplomacy, Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, Special Representative for Syria Engagement, U.S. Security Coordinator for Israel and the Palestinian Authority, Office of the U.S. Violence against women, the other pandemic impacting Honduras When possible, travel in groups. During the presentation of these findings, Alice Shackelford called for "changing the narrative and expressing our intolerance towards this type of violence". U.S. Embassy Tegucigalpa Avenida La Paz, Tegucigalpa Hours of Operation: Monday-Thursday, 0730-1630; Friday, 0800-1500 Tel: +504-2236-9320; After Hours: +504-2236-8497 Website: http://hn.usembassy.gov Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/embajadahonduras/, U.S. Consular Agency San Pedro Sula Banco Atlntida Building, 11th Floor, across the street from Central Park, San Pedro Sula Hours of Operation: Monday-Thursday, 1200-1600 Tel: +504-2558-1580 Website: https://hn.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/spsca/. San Pedro Sula is not a safe place to travel, with a high crime rate. They practice "war taxing", which is essentially just demanding money from people. Honduras has a long history of sustaining damage due to powerful tropical storms and hurricanes. Kidnappings have occurred in recent years, with large ransoms paid and infrequent capture of the kidnappers. Crime in Roatan, Honduras. A woman is likely to be killed every 36 hours in this country. Vehicles often drive at night without adequate lighting. Crisis in Honduras: Ongoing violence and climate shocks Thefts, break-ins, assaults, rapes, and murders do occur. 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. The government has also begun implementing a series of police reforms; it has formed groups such as the National Inter-Agency Security Task Force (FUSINA) and the National Anti-Gang Task Force (FNAMP) to combat crime. Emergency services, even in Tegucigalpa, generally are basic. Honduras - InSight Crime Kidnappings declined by 82% since 2013, from 92 in 2013 to 14 in 2018, and 12 in 2019. 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. Congressional Research Service - Honduras - 2019, 2020. There is no evidence suggesting criminals specifically target U.S. citizens, but foreigners have been targeted for crime due to their perceived wealth. Honduras | World | The Guardian Intentional homicide does not include all intentional killing; the difference is usually in the organization of the killing. Peru Crime & Safety Report - LimaEasy In 2012, a U.S. citizen reported that his boat was boarded and his passengers were the victims of an armed robbery while sailing in Honduran waters near Puerto Cortes, three miles north of Punta Sal. TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras -- Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency to fight gang crimes like extortion. These penalties were sufficiently stringent. The country does not appear to be a terrorist safe haven. In 2019, there was one murder case involving a resident U.S. citizen in Roatn. OSAC Honduras in Crisis: Organized Crime Devastates Latin American Community In addition, a lack of implementing regulations leads to long delays in the awarding of titles in some regions. Although Copan, Roatan/Bay Islands, and other tourist destinations have a lower crime rate than other parts of the country, thefts, break-ins, assaults, and murders do occur. Extortion threats commonly originate through social engineering. Is El Salvador Safe to Visit in 2023? Safety in El Salvador Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2018 was 38.93, a 5.01% decline from 2017. Officials report family problems, unemployment, and lack of access to healthcare exacerbate these risks. Three LGBTQ+ People Were Killed in Honduras on Same Day Members of the LGBTI+ community have reported violent assaults because of gender identity and sexual orientation. Copyright 2023 United Nations Sustainable Development Group. 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 U.S. Embassy estimates at least 30,000 U.S. citizens reside in Honduras. Exercise particular caution walking on isolated beaches, especially at night. CICESCT reported using online training platforms to educate stakeholders on the impact of pandemic-related restrictions on trafficking trends and how to adapt. Authorities initiated prosecutions of nine suspects (seven for sex trafficking and two for forced labor), compared with 55 initiated in 2019 (53 for sex trafficking including procuring commercial sex acts and two for forced labor) and 35 in 2018. The last two years have shone an unflattering light . Since 2010, nine U.S. citizens have been reported as victims of rape or sexual assault in Honduras, signaling an increasing trend in these types of crimes. 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. Avoid protests, which can quickly turn violent. Honduras is far more deadly than even the most violent U.S. cities. Travelers in those areas should use extra caution. Honduras Crime. Safety and crime information on Honduras Honduras - United States Department of State Children, including from indigenous and Afro-descendant communities, particularly Miskito boys, are at risk for forced labor in the agricultural, construction, manufacturing, mining, and hospitality industries. Honduras is a signatory to the International Labor Organizations 169 Convention, which requires free prior notice and informed consent from indigenous communities before any development projects can begin; the congress has not approved a law regulating this process. Overseas Security Advisory Council - U.S. Embassy in El Salvador 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. The government is implementing similar programs for other locations (e.g. ERO Houston removes twice-deported foreign fugitive wanted in Honduras The Honduras Medical Center (HMC) is the primary private hospital that the Embassy uses for emergency response and when hospitalization is required. 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. The 18th Street and MS-13 (Mara Salvatrucha) gangs are the most active and powerful. First responders referred potential trafficking victims to CICESCTs immediate response team, composed of two psychologists and a social worker, for immediate support. Crime Information for Tourists in Ecuador Crime is a severe problem in Ecuador. There have been frequent incidents of carjacking and highway robbery on a number of roads including the main highway (CA-5) between San Pedro Sula and Siguatepeque, with the greatest risk between Potrerillos and Pito Solo in the lake area. Migrants from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Central America, the Middle East, and South America who transit Honduras en route to the United States are vulnerable to being exploited in trafficking. Hondurans continue to be affected by MS-13 and Calle 18 gang activity in cities such as Tegucigalpa, Choloma, La Ceiba, Tela, and San Pedro Sula. Traffic signs, even on major highways, are often inadequate; streets are often unmarked even in major cities. Assaults in these areas may be based on tips from sources at airport arrival areas, so visitors are strongly urged to exercise caution in discussing travel plans in public. While there are no areas in major urban cities free of violent crime, notably dangerous locations in Tegucigalpa include the areas surrounding Suyapa Cathedral, downtown Comayagela, downtown Tegucigalpa, and neighborhoods in the outskirts of the city that are generally controlled by gangs. Review OSACs reports, The Overseas Travelers Guide to ATM Skimmers & Fraud and Taking Credit. Honduras Country Report 2022. . Anyone with information is strongly encouraged to report the matter. s Honduras Safe For Tourists? Expert Tips & Advice for 2023 - Layer Culture Passing on blind corners is common. Compare Roatan with: . Correspondent John Holman reports from San Pedro Sula in Honduras, a city with the highest murder rate in the world, on how organized crime is devastating co. "I am a survivor of domestic violence and I am lucky to be alive," said Rosa Maria Perez at the launch of the campaign. See the description of highways/areas to be avoided in the Traffic Safety and Road Conditions section below for details. Officials flew Garza, a 48-year-old . 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. 0. Ocean via the Gulf of Fonseca in the Caribbean and access to the local police and property crime 1. However, with respect to sex trafficking, these penalties were not commensurate with those prescribed for other serious crimes, such as rape. Armed robbery is a common problem, with armed bandits attacking minibusses and vans loaded with tourists traveling from the airport to their hotels in San Pedro Sula. UNODC collects data on crime and the operation of criminal justice systems in order to make policy-relevant information and analysis available in a timely manner to the international community. Of November 2021, almost 39 homicides were committed per 100,000 crimes are carried out by acting., 2022, in Uvalde, Texas in Action - Honduras /a > Qatar iverson house . Those traveling with tour/missionary groups report fewer criminal incidents. 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. Since its inception in 2016, MACCIH has worked with the Public Ministry to achieve success on several significant cases, including against current and former public officials. According to the Peruvian National Police ( PNP ), crime increased 15% in 2021. The government and NGOs identified 42 trafficking victims in 2020, including 31 exploited in sex trafficking and 11 in forced labor; two of the labor trafficking victims were children forced to commit unlawful acts. Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2017 was 40.98, a 26.23% decline from 2016. 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, Spurred by anger with the government over accusations of public corruption, allegations of involvement in narcotics trafficking, and efforts to pass controversial education reform, protests and demonstrations were near-daily occurrences at times during 2019. CICESCT and the anti-trafficking prosecution unit each operated trafficking-specific hotlines that functioned throughout the pandemic. Overall corruption helped facilitate trafficking crimes. The U.S. Embassy has restricted U.S. government personnel travel to the Gracias a Dios Department in eastern Honduras because of credible threat information against U.S citizens. Responding police fired tear gas in and around the main terminal to regain control after protesters entered the building and airport grounds. The government did not report penalizing any employment agencies for fraudulent recruitment practices or charging recruitment fees to workers. Among the findings is that nine out of 10 news stories promote the dissemination of morbid details, include inadequate justifications and stereotypical reporting, which adds on to the misrepresentation of reality, which affects how this type of news is understood and interpreted by the public. Most of these attacks involved gang members demanding extortion payments. 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. According to the Honduran National Police, there were 12 kidnappings reported nationwide during 2019. Enforce laws punishing brokers for illegal practices that facilitate trafficking, such as fraudulent offers of employment or illegal fees for migration or job placement. How Safe Is San Pedro Sula for Travel? - Abroad However, the government did not meet the minimum standards in several key areas. 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. In January 2012, the Peace Corps suspended its program in Honduras in order to review the safety and security of its volunteers. Honduran law requires access to buildings for persons with disabilities; however, there are limited facilities for individuals with disabilities. Penalties for the possession, use, or trafficking of illegal narcotics are strict; convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences and fines. Honduras Travel Advisory - United States Department of State 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. 0. The location and timing of criminal activity are unpredictable. 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. Review OSACs report, Security In Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights. ", expressed the UN Resident Coordinator in Honduras, Alice Shackelford, on Twitter. 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. 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. Air pollution can aggravate or lead to respiratory problems during the dry season due to widespread forest fires and agricultural burning. Major cities connect via an inconsistently maintained, two-lane system of paved roads, with many unpaved secondary roads. Honduras is one of the murder capitals of the world. If you use our chart images on your site or blog, we ask that you provide attribution via a link back to this page. The following day, protesters started a fire outside of one of the U.S. Embassys entrances during demonstrations against public-sector reforms in the country. NGOs have reported anonymous attacks via social media, alleging that civil society actors are engaged in, or supportive of, criminal activity in Honduras. There is street crime even in gated communities commonly referred to locally as Barrio Seguros; these are generally safer areas in which to reside because of their heightened security measures. My partner did not like me to go out, not even to church. LGBTI+ travelers should exercise caution, especially when expressing affection in public. Cruise ship passengers should take safety precautions, avoid unfamiliar areas, and book only with reputable tour companies during their stopover in Honduras. The juvenile penal system issued a sentence of six months house arrest for one convicted trafficker who was a child. Port agencies have worked to improve taxi service to/from ports. Widespread poverty and unemployment, along with significant street gang and drug trafficking activity, have contributed to the extremely high crime rate. Violent gang activity, such as extortion, violent street crime, rape, and narcotics and human trafficking, is widespread. Honduran police generally do not speak English. 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. 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. Reports of kidnappings of U.S. citizens are not common, with zero reports for 2019. La Ceiba, Trujillo) and major hotels; other tourist installations have increased private and police security. Highlights July 27, 2022: Student Reports of Bullying: Results from the 2019 School Crime Supplement to the National Crime Victimization Survey July 12, 2022: Crime, Violence, Discipline, and Safety in U.S. Public Schools in 2019-20: Findings from the School Survey on Crime and Safety June 28, 2022: Many of these U.S. citizens are church and humanitarian aid volunteers working throughout the country, including in gang-controlled neighborhoods. . The government reported investigating 82 cases of suspected sex trafficking and related crimes in 2020, compared with 91 suspected cases investigated in 2019 and 145 in 2018. U.S. citizens are encouraged to be vigilant of their surroundings at all times, especially when entering or exiting their homes, cars, garages, schools, and workplaces. The government investigated two police officials for suspected trafficking crimes and six police officials for smuggling crimes that may have increased migrants vulnerability to trafficking. While hurricane winds are a concern, much of the damage to infrastructure comes as a result of the ensuing flooding and rock/mudslides. 4-Minute Listen Playlist Download Transcript NPR's Audie Cornish speaks with veteran journalist Carlos Dada, founder of El Faro newspaper, about his latest reporting from Honduras. 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. Travel advice and advisories for Honduras Honduras is a destination for child sex tourists from Canada and the United States. Increase efforts to identify victims, including among particularly vulnerable populations such as adult migrants, and provide assistance to all victims, including forced labor victims. Dial 911 for emergency or call (504) 2232-4092. Nicaragua used to be part of the CA-4 agreement, but in late 2017 began requiring travelers to register their travel purpose and destination online seven days in advance. Contact OSACs Latin America team with any questions or to join. Honduras declares state of emergency against gang crime Crime & Safety Surveys (CSS) - Overview - National Center for Education Local law allows the police to detain someone for up to 24 hours for administrative processing. The San Pedro Sula area has seen armed robberies against tourist vans, minibuses, and cars traveling from the airport to area hotels. 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) Local police and emergency services lack sufficient resources to respond effectively to serious crime. However, there can be communal tension over land ownership, natural resource allocation, and exploitation. 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. Officials from several ministries conducted additional trainings and awareness-raising activities with support from NGOs and international organizations. HMCs lab was reviewed by the Regional Medical Laboratory Scientist and found to be up to U.S. standards and quality assurance practices.