HOUSTON Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Houston, with assistance from ERO Tegucigalpa and the Security Alliance for Fugitive Enforcement (SAFE) Task Force, removed Rufino Garza Monroy, a twice-deported foreign fugitive from the United States on Feb. 24. In 2019, there was one murder case involving a resident U.S. citizen in Roatn. El Salvador is not dangerous for travelers as violence has declined to its lowest level in over 30 years. Traffic signs, even on major highways, are often inadequate; streets are often unmarked even in major cities. Last update: October 2022. The Honduran government conducts occasional joint police/military patrols in major cities in an effort to reduce crime. In 2020,278 women were murdered in the countryand, as of November 2021, more than 240 women have lost their lives violently. Level of crime: 66.67: High: Crime increasing in the past 3 years: 78.57: . OSAC encourages travelers to use this report to gain baseline knowledge of security conditions in Honduras. Extortion threats commonly originate through social engineering. Copan, Roatan/Bay Islands, and other tourist destinations have lower crime rates than other parts of the country. Honduras received support from the Millennium Challenge Corporation in the development of an e-procurement platform and public procurement auditing. In April 2019, one or more individuals attempted a surreptitious breach of perimeter fencing at a U.S. Embassy residence. The Honduras Country Council generally meets monthly on a rotating basis in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula and has approximately 70 members. 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. Ocean via the Gulf of Fonseca in the Caribbean and access to the local police and property crime 1. 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: Civil unrest in Tegucigalpa and other parts of Honduras remains a constant challenge. Review OSACs reports, The Overseas Travelers Guide to ATM Skimmers & Fraud and Taking Credit. Review OSACs report, Security In Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights. The police generally treat detained foreigners well. Children living on the streets are at risk for sex and labor trafficking. Although the trend has decreased as of 2014, Since 1995, 115 U.S. citizens were reported murdered in Honduras; of these, just 32 cases have been resolved. Honduras - Safety & Security ; Honduras - Country Commercial Guide Honduras Country Commercial Guide. Review OSACs report, Kidnapping: The Basics. Review the State Departments webpage on security for LGBTI+ travelers. Review OSACs reports, Road Safety Abroad, Driving Overseas: Best Practices, and Evasive Driving Techniques; and read the State Departments webpage on driving and road safety abroad. Except in some very rural locations, police are aware of a U.S. citizen detainee's right to contact the Embassy. 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. A significant percentage of vehicles are in disrepair, underpowered, beyond their lifecycle, and would not meet U.S. road safety standards. Mediaactivism must be part of the change of paradigm; data plays a key role in understanding the impact on the Honduran population of how media report on violence against women. Avoid driving at night. 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. The rate of young people killing other young people is down to two main gangs : Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and Barrio 18. Seek legal representation before admitting or signing any legal form that acknowledges culpability. DOS Trafficking in Persons Report - 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019. The government maintained prosecution efforts. Intentional homicide does not include all intentional killing; the difference is usually in the organization of the killing. 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. 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. These areas are well known for narcotics smuggling and violence. Kidnappings have occurred in recent years, with large ransoms paid and infrequent capture of the kidnappers. Please check your download folder. While hurricane winds are a concern, much of the damage to infrastructure comes as a result of the ensuing flooding and rock/mudslides. U.S. citizens have been the victims of a wide range of crimes, including murder, kidnapping, rape, assault, and property crimes. The UNSDG guides, supports, tracks and oversees the coordination of development operations in 162 countries and territories. My appreciation and congratulations to Ana Cruz and the fantastic work of safe houses! Major cities (e.g. Most of these attacks involved gang members demanding extortion payments. ", expressed the UN Resident Coordinator in Honduras, Alice Shackelford, on Twitter. Travelers in those areas should use extra caution. Download the State Departments Crime Victims Assistance brochure. 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. Exercise extreme caution driving on isolated stretches of road and passing other vehicles on mountainous curves. 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 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 juvenile penal system issued a sentence of six months house arrest for one convicted trafficker who was a child. Victims who tested positive for COVID-19 faced delays or limitations in receiving services from shelters. Animals and people wander onto the roads. Total Local Production. Review OSACs report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System. Embassy employees and others have experienced skimming at well- known restaurants, hotels, and retailers. However, there can be communal tension over land ownership, natural resource allocation, and exploitation. According to the Peruvian National Police ( PNP ), crime increased 15% in 2021. La Ceiba, Trujillo) and major hotels; other tourist installations have increased private and police security. 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) Thefts, break-ins, assaults, rapes, and murders do occur. Overall corruption helped facilitate trafficking crimes. 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. Honduras decided in late 2018, based on reciprocity, to institute the same reporting requirement. 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. The municipalities in which kidnappings were reported include: Districto Central (4), Jacaleapa (1), Trojes (1), Siguatepeque (1), Puerto Cortes (1), Lejamani (1), Tocoa (1), Tela (1), and Comayagua (1). Driving in Honduras can be dangerous. For fire and public safety emergencies, dial 911. 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. Reports of kidnappings of U.S. citizens are not common, with zero reports for 2019. Gangs are not reluctant to use violence, and specialize in murder-for-hire, carjacking, extortion, and other violent street crime. Received a complaint about honduras crime and safety report 2021 at Pioneer Park with murder November 2017 shorter! Review OSACs report, All That You Should Leave Behind. Those traveling with tour/missionary groups report fewer criminal incidents. The following reports are broken down by campus alphabetically: Abington 2022 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (pdf) Crime Information for Tourists in Ecuador Crime is a severe problem in Ecuador. 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. 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. . The CA-4 agreement among El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras allows for the inspection-free movement of citizens among these countries, reducing overall inspection at land crossings. Local, Regional, and International Terrorism Threats/Concerns. the Copan Mayan ruins and Roatn). The U.S. Embassy estimates at least 30,000 U.S. citizens reside in Honduras. Three U.S. citizens were reported murdered in Honduras between January and September 2013. 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. Information published on this website may contain errors. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), through the Spotlight Initiative and in partnership with civil society organizations, launched the "The Other Pandemic" campaign in order to activate a social movement to address and prevent gender-based violence. UNODC works on the development of standards for national crime and criminal justice information systems and for the conduct of victimization surveys. Honduras, long one of the poorest countries in Latin America, is now also among the most violent and crime-ridden. While many protests remain relatively peaceful, demonstrations can escalate into violent confrontations with the police resulting in destruction to public and private property. 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. Violent gang activity, such as extortion, violent street crime, rape, and narcotics and human trafficking, is widespread. 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. "I am a survivor of domestic violence and I am lucky to be alive," said Rosa Maria Perez at the launch of the campaign. 1. . Historically, corruption has been pervasive in government procurement, issuance of government permits, customs, real estate transactions (particularly land title transfers), performance requirements, and the regulatory system. U.S. citizens are primarily the victims of opportunistic crime. Cable signal theft and counterfeit products are the most prevalent violations of intellectual property rights in Honduras. Officials from several ministries conducted additional trainings and awareness-raising activities with support from NGOs and international organizations. Honduras 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report. Counterfeit medicines are available in pulperas (private home-operated convenience stores), but have also been reported in Farmacias del Ahorro. The government provided 31 victims with witness protection services including measures to protect their identity; shelter; and economic, medical and psychosocial assistance. Intentional homicides are estimates of unlawful homicides purposely inflicted as a result of domestic disputes, interpersonal violence, violent conflicts over land resources, intergang violence over turf or control, and predatory violence and killing by armed groups. Armed robberies, burglaries, vandalization, home invasions, and extortions occur; closely guarded officials, businesspersons, and diplomats are not immune. Since 2012, the Honduran government signed agreements with Transparency International, the Construction Sector Transparency Initiative, and the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative. 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. 0. Resolution of disputes in court often takes years. 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. Violence linked to land disputes also occurs, particularly in the Bay Islands and Bajo Aguan Valley in northern Honduras. Enforce laws punishing brokers for illegal practices that facilitate trafficking, such as fraudulent offers of employment or illegal fees for migration or job placement. 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. Additionally, illegal drugs are for sale in many of the popular tourist areas during the evening hours. 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. According to the Honduran National Police, there were 12 kidnappings reported nationwide during 2019. Review the State Departments webpage on security for travelers with disabilities. Institutionalize training for anti-trafficking police and prosecutorial units, judges, and CICESCTs immediate response team. Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha. The government did not make efforts to reduce the demand for commercial sex acts. Earlier. The events targeted members of at-risk groupsincluding children and students, individuals with disabilities, and indigenous personsas well as potential first responders and officials from key sectors such as education and tourism. These deaths included several in San Pedro Sula and La Ceiba involving U.S. citizens murdered shortly after arriving in the country. "My respect to the brave women survivors of domestic violence! Caption: UN Resident Coordinator in Honduras, Alice Shackelford meets with survivors at a local safe house. . Honduras Country Report 2022. . Even when traffic signals are working, drivers often ignore them. Honduran law requires access to buildings for persons with disabilities; however, there are limited facilities for individuals with disabilities. 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. 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. Crime Information for Tourists in Honduras Crime is widespread in Honduras and requires a high degree of caution by U.S. visitors and residents alike. El Salvador used to have a high crime rate, but that is not the case anymore. Despite significant Honduras 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report. "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. All bus travel should be during daylight hours and on first-class conveyances, not economy buses. 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. 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. In accordance with the governments intersectoral protocol on victim protection, CICESCT coordinated with relevant government institutions and NGOs to provide additional services to victims, including mental health counseling, legal services, medical care, lodging, food, family reintegration, and repatriation. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law and be subject to local penalties. 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. Credit card skimming is common. There are few U.S.- educated physicians in Tegucigalpa. The U.S. Embassy estimates at least 30,000 U.S. citizens reside in Honduras. 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 . In past years, several U.S. citizens have been murdered in San Pedro Sula and La Ceiba shortly after arriving in the country.