Extortion threats commonly originate through social engineering. While the risk from crime in Honduras remains a concern, most U.S. citizens visiting or residing in Honduras are unaffected by violence and visit for tourism or humanitarian aid work without incident. 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. The main problems are related to corruption, robbery, and vandalism. 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. Victims who tested positive for COVID-19 faced delays or limitations in receiving services from shelters. Index; Crime Index: 51.16: Safety Index: 48.84: Crime rates in Roatan, Honduras. 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. The government identified fewer victims overall and investigated, prosecuted, and convicted fewer suspects. 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. U.S. citizens should exercise caution while sailing or mooring in Honduran waters. An official website of the United States Government, Office of the Special Envoy for Critical and Emerging Technology, Office of the U.S. 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. You travel at your own risk and no warranties or guarantees are provided by us. 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 government maintained prevention efforts. Avoid protests, which can quickly turn violent. 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. Incidents of piracy off the coast of Honduras can occur. Criminals expanded the use of social network platforms to recruit victims, often with false promises of employment, and continued to target vulnerable populations. There is often a spike in skimming in December and June, when the working population receive Christmas and mid-year bonuses in the form of one extra months salary. Explore and easily find UNSDG publications. The government convicted 14 traffickers, including 10 for sex trafficking, two for forced labor, and two for both sex trafficking and forced labor, compared with 34 traffickers convicted in 2019 (33 for sex trafficking/procuring commercial sex acts and one for forced labor) and 16 traffickers (including six for procuring commercial sex acts) convicted in 2018. 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. 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. Authorities identified five of the victims through calls to government hotlines, and 16 were identified in Mexico or Guatemala and repatriated to Honduras. 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. 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. 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 . Incidents of crime along roads, including carjacking and kidnapping, are common in Honduras. Land title procedures have been an issue leading to investment disputes involving U.S. nationals who are landowners. 2018 toyota rav4 pros and cons. In October 2019, a thief stole the side view mirrors from a U.S. employees personally owned vehicle while it was parked on a side street near the Embassy. However, the government lacked formal procedures for identifying victims among children apprehended for gang-related criminal activity. NGOs have reported anonymous attacks via social media, alleging that civil society actors are engaged in, or supportive of, criminal activity in Honduras. Diarrheal illness is very common even in large cities and luxury accommodations. Honduras lacks the infrastructure to maintain water purity and food safety. This report is a result of the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and complies with Federal reporting requirements, specifically 20 U.S. Code Section 1092 (f). The law on safe houses needs to be passed! The Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) was created in 1985 under the Federal Advisory Committee Act to promote security cooperation between American private-sector interests worldwide and the U.S. Department of State. According to a November 2019 study entitled Plan for Sustainable Urban Mobility for the Central District and Comayaguela, 48% of passengers reported having been assaulted one time in the past 12 months while traveling on a Rapidito, 31% twice, 11% three times, and 10% more than three times. Courts issued prison sentences ranging from three to 13 years for convicted adult traffickers and ordered some of them to pay monetary fines to the government. The campaign includes a docuseries in which the testimonies of women survivors, like Rosa Mara, are central to raise awareness among the Honduran population on zero tolerance of all forms ofviolenceagainstwomenand girls. Download Historical Data. 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. Crime is widespread in Honduras and requires a high degree of caution by U.S. visitors and residents alike. 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. Develop and implement standardized procedures for victim identification and referral, including screening for indicators of forced criminal activity among children involved in gang-related crimes. The Government of Honduras has a very limited law enforcement presence in some northern coastal areas, including parts of the departments of Olancho, Colon, and Gracias a Dios. Violent crime is a serious issue in the entire country, with crimes such as kidnappings, rape, assaults, and murders. The immediate response team provided 67 victims of trafficking and related crimes with assistance, including legal advice, immediate protection, and psychological services. In April 2019, one or more individuals attempted a surreptitious breach of perimeter fencing at a U.S. Embassy residence. 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) 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. 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. 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. 2.2. 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 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. The government lacks resources to investigate and prosecute cases; police often lack vehicles/fuel to respond to calls for assistance. Experts observed that judges lack of specialized knowledge or experience in handling trafficking cases impeded successful prosecution and conviction of cases. 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. According to the Peruvian National Police ( PNP ), crime increased 15% in 2021. One U.S. citizen was reported kidnapped between January and September 2013.. There have also been cases of police harassment of patrons in LGBTI+ nightclubs. Home. Level of crime: 66.67: High: Crime increasing in the past 3 years: 78.57: . Although the trend has decreased as of 2014, Roads have poor lighting and markings. Anyone with information is strongly encouraged to report the matter. Drug trafficking and gang activity, which includes local micro-trafficking of narcotics and extortion, are the main causes of violent crime in Honduras. Regional advisory - Avoid non-essential travel. In 2021, almost 39 homicides were committed per 100,000 inhabitants in Honduras. The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this reports publication assesses Honduras at Level 3, indicating travelers should reconsider travel due to crime. Most cruise line passengers experience no problems, but there have been reports of associated armed robbery and carjacking. Driving in Honduras can be dangerous. international and local public pressure, MACCIHs mandate ended in January 2020 without agreement for its extension between the OAS and the Honduran government. However, it is situated in a high crime area and has been the site of numerous armed robberies and thefts. Airlines estimate that approximately 250,000 U.S. citizens flew into Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, or Roatn in 2019. The campaign and its different audiovisual assets have been broadcasted by over 15 media outlets nationwide and free of charge, including the country's most-watched TV network. 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, Please check your download folder. In 2019, there were 1,500 traffic fatalities throughout the country. Compare Roatan with: . 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. U.S. citizens have been the victims of a wide range of crimes, including murder, kidnapping, rape, assault, and property crimes. Counterfeit medicines are available in pulperas (private home-operated convenience stores), but have also been reported in Farmacias del Ahorro. We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. The San Pedro Sula area has seen armed robberies against tourist vans, minibuses, and cars traveling from the airport to area hotels. Preliminary Observations of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on its Visit to Honduras - May 15 TO 18, 2010 Honduras: Human Rights and the Coup D' ETAT - Dec. 2009 Return to the Top of the Page Justice System Foreign Government Reports Canada Responses to Information Requests (RIRs) The public transportation sector is a regular target of extortion, and experiences higher levels of homicide than many other sectors. A significant percentage of vehicles are in disrepair, underpowered, beyond their lifecycle, and would not meet U.S. road safety standards. 1. . 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. The government did not make efforts to reduce the demand for commercial sex acts. 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. Information published on this website may contain errors. During the pandemic, violence cases against women increased significantly; the number of emergency calls rose to 282 per day. Country Summary: Violent crime, such as homicide and armed robbery, is common. In addition, a lack of implementing regulations leads to long delays in the awarding of titles in some regions. The government maintained a specialized anti-trafficking prosecution unit, but experts observed the unit remained understaffed and lacked sufficient resources to investigate and prosecute trafficking crimes. Labor inspectors did not identify any suspected trafficking cases in 2020. Officials report family problems, unemployment, and lack of access to healthcare exacerbate these risks. Kidnappings have occurred in recent years, with large ransoms paid and infrequent capture of the kidnappers. UN teams are now better enabled to support countries to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Officials from several ministries conducted additional trainings and awareness-raising activities with support from NGOs and international organizations. This team continued to operate during the pandemic despite restrictions on movement and inadequate funding for personal protective equipment. Exercise extreme caution driving on isolated stretches of road and passing other vehicles on mountainous curves. These crimes may have been the result of tips from sources surveilling the airport arrival area. According to a report published in June 2020 by the Network Against Anti-Union Violence, 36 trade unionists were murdered between 2009 and 2019. In addition to complying with local laws, companies involved in natural resource extraction or energy generation should ensure they fully consult with communities in accordance with international standards. Travelers are responsible for ensuring that they have adequate health coverage while in Honduras. Historically, governments have. Consider looking into aggregate data we have for Crime in Honduras. Read more about the coordinated response to COVID-19. LGBTI+ travelers should exercise caution, especially when expressing affection in public. The Honduran government conducts occasional joint police/military patrols in major cities in an effort to reduce crime. Review OSACs report, Kidnapping: The Basics. The CICESCT convened a network of 32 government agencies and NGOs and coordinated the governments anti-trafficking efforts, including implementation of the 2016-2020 national anti-trafficking action plan. Yes, despite all the historical crime and violence, which don't affect tourists, El Salvador is safe to visit in 2023. Information provided is subject to change without notice. Honduran law prohibited the prosecution of victims for unlawful acts traffickers compelled them to commit. 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 their wellbeing and that of their families. Amend the penal code to ensure the penalties prescribed for trafficking crimes are commensurate with the penalties prescribed for other grave crimes, such as rape. Political, Economic, Religious, and Ethnic Violence. 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. The UNSDG guides, supports, tracks and oversees the coordination of development operations in 162 countries and territories. In comparison, the government identified 75 victims (66 in sex trafficking and 9 in forced labor) and NGOs identified 78 victims in 2019, and the government identified 73 victims (63 in sex trafficking and 10 in forced labor) in 2018. The Secretariat of Labor and Social Security (STSS) monitored and regulated compliance with labor laws and policies that could decrease workers vulnerability to trafficking, including those regulating private employment agencies and establishing protections for vulnerable classes of workers such as domestic workers, seafarers, and temporary workers in Canada; however, the government did not provide details on enforcement. Copyright 2023 United Nations Sustainable Development Group. Three U.S. citizens were reported murdered in Honduras between January and September 2013. Children living on the streets are at risk for sex and labor trafficking. Review the State Departments webpage on security for LGBTI+ travelers. The police generally treat detained foreigners well. 0. The government identified fewer victims overall and investigated, prosecuted, and convicted fewer suspects. Major cities connect via an inconsistently maintained, two-lane system of paved roads, with many unpaved secondary roads. Widespread poverty and unemployment, along with significant street gang and drug trafficking activity, have contributed to the extremely high crime rate. While many protests remain relatively peaceful, demonstrations can escalate into violent confrontations with the police resulting in destruction to public and private property. The UNSDG has a strengthened coordination system that works at a country, regional and global level. Officials in the Returned Migrant Assistance Center conducted evaluations of returned Hondurans and referred suspected trafficking cases to CICESCT; however, screening for trafficking indicators was not systematic among returned migrants, and the government did not report whether these efforts resulted in identification of any victims during the year. Passengers on public buses have been the victims of robbery at roadblocks and bus stops, during daytime and nighttime hours. Honduras - Safety & Security ; Honduras - Country Commercial Guide Honduras Country Commercial Guide. One should confirm content prior to traveling from other reliable sources. Counterfeit products are predominately but not solely in the pharmaceutical and apparel industries. According to the Honduran Commission for Human Rights (Conadeh), 75 people died in attacks against the public transport service in Honduras between January and July 2019. There are no known international terrorist groups operating in Honduras. The rate of young people killing other young people is down to two main gangs : Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and Barrio 18. Travelers should be aware, however, that the assistance the Embassy can provide is limited to making sure U.S. citizens are not treated differently from local detainees and providing them with a list of local attorneys. There is no information to suggest that criminals specifically target U.S. citizens or foreigners. Armed robberies, burglaries, vandalization, home invasions, and extortions occur; closely guarded officials, businesspersons, and diplomats are not immune. DOS: Northern Triangle Country Conditions: Ranking the Highest and Lowest Areas of Reported, Homicides, Disappearances, and Extortion - May 2019. When possible, travel in groups. I was housebound. Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2017 was 40.98, a 26.23% decline from 2016. Vehicles often drive at night without adequate lighting. These penalties were sufficiently stringent. As reported over the past five years, human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Honduras, and traffickers exploit victims from Honduras abroad. Responding police fired tear gas in and around the main terminal to regain control after protesters entered the building and airport grounds. The government conducted law enforcement operations targeting irregular migration and increased border enforcement, leading to 160 arrests for smuggling crimes that increased migrants vulnerability to trafficking. On May 30, protesters blocked several main avenues in Tegucigalpa, including access to Toncontn International Airport (TGU). 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. 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. All bus travel should be during daylight hours and on first-class conveyances, not economy buses. Although many tourists come to this city, there is a high crime rate, which is worth remembering when planning a trip to this city. According to the UNDP report on Honduras, in 2020, the primary school enrollment rate reached 92%. 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. "I am a survivor of domestic violence and I am lucky to be alive," said Rosa Maria Perez at the launch of the campaign. Until his life grew increasingly violent. Honduras Country Report 2022. . The U.S. Embassy strongly discourages intercity car and bus travel after dark. There have been multiple incidents of gang members destroying city buses and taxis, and reports that gang members rob, assault, rape, kidnap, or murder passengers. Since 1995, 115 U.S. citizens were reported murdered in Honduras; of these, just 32 cases have been resolved. Mass protests and the government's heavy-handed response have damaged the economy and sparked deadly . Visitors can send general inquiries to the communications team. Total Exports. The ambulance does not have paramedics or emergency medical equipment; it functions solely as transport to hospitals. A woman is likely to be killed every 36 hours in this country. Since 2012, the Honduran government signed agreements with Transparency International, the Construction Sector Transparency Initiative, and the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative. In 2020,278 women were murdered in the countryand, as of November 2021, more than 240 women have lost their lives violently. Embassy employees and others have experienced skimming at well- known restaurants, hotels, and retailers. Review OSACs report, All That You Should Leave Behind. Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha. Limited inspections could facilitate movements of terrorists. Review the State Departments webpage on insurance overseas. The Honduras Medical Center (HMC) is the primary private hospital that the Embassy uses for emergency response and when hospitalization is required. 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. In 2011, a Canadian citizen was killed in a similar incident. 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. The Honduran National Police wear blue uniforms, while the PMOP normally wear green camouflage. U.S. citizens in Honduras on U.S. government orders are only allowed to visit the Basilica of Suyapa with an organized tour group that provides armed security for the group. 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. 0. The Embassy cannot secure the release or act as legal representation for any U.S. citizen. Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, La Ceiba) have homicide rates higher than the national average, as do several Honduran departments (a geographic designation like U.S. States), including Atlntida, Coln, Corts, San Pedro Sula, Tegucigalpa, and Yoro. Central Intelligence Agency - The World Factbook - Honduras. 2022 estimated. The Basilica of Suyapa in Tegucigalpa, also known as Suyapa Church or Cathedral, is an important religious site and popular tourist destination. Since 2010, there have been approximately 60 murders of U.S. citizens reported in Honduras. Even when traffic signals are working, drivers often ignore them. Medical care is limited. Weapons abound in Honduras, and armed street robberies are especially common, with criminals taking advantage of relatively isolated victims to steal their valuables. My partner did not like me to go out, not even to church. Institutionalize training for anti-trafficking police and prosecutorial units, judges, and CICESCTs immediate response team. Kidnappings declined by 82% since 2013, from 92 in 2013 to 14 in 2018, and 12 in 2019. U.S. citizens are primarily the victims of opportunistic crime. 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: The government followed a regional protocol to facilitate the repatriation of victims identified abroad and funded food, transportation, and lodging for such victims through a fund administered by the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Backlinks from other websites and blogs are the lifeblood of our site and are our primary source of new traffic.
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