Review the State Departments webpage on insurance overseas. 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 Government of Honduras does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so. Honduras sees 318 cases of femicide in 2021: Report At least 19 women murdered since beginning of 2022, says Honduras Center for Women's Studies Sinan Doan | 27.01.2022 Latest News Profile Criminal Actors Investigations News Latest News 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. However, there can be communal tension over land ownership, natural resource allocation, and exploitation. Limited inspections could facilitate movements of terrorists. 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. 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). Honduras has the highest femicide rate in the Latin American region, with6.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. As reported over the past five years, human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Honduras, and traffickers exploit victims from Honduras abroad. 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 pandemic, as well as Hurricanes Eta and Iota, negatively affected economic opportunity and furthered inequality, resulting in an increased number of individuals vulnerable to trafficking. Honduras removed the offense of sex tourism from its amended penal code, and the government did not investigate or prosecute any suspected trafficking cases in the tourism sector. The CDC offers additional information on vaccines and health guidance for Honduras. Massay Crisantho is one of the 21 most influential people named ambassadors to help advocate on ending violence against women and girls by the United Nations in Honduras. Land title procedures have been an issue leading to investment disputes involving U.S. nationals who are landowners. Central Intelligence Agency - The World Factbook - Honduras. Honduras is far more deadly than even the most violent U.S. cities. Fire Department Ambulance is fully equipped with emergency medical supplies and medical staff. 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. . Since 1995, 115 U.S. citizens were reported murdered in Honduras; of these, just 32 cases have been resolved. 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. 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. The rainy season usually runs May-November. 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. It is also recommended that drivers vary their routes and schedules so as to not create a predictable routine. Enforce laws punishing brokers for illegal practices that facilitate trafficking, such as fraudulent offers of employment or illegal fees for migration or job placement. Vehicles often drive at night without adequate lighting. . Additionally, illegal drugs are for sale in many of the popular tourist areas during the evening hours. 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. Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2018 was 38.93, a 5.01% decline from 2017. TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras -- Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency to fight gang crimes like extortion. Counterfeit products are predominately but not solely in the pharmaceutical and apparel industries. Indigenous and ethnic minority communities are frequently located in rural areas, which enjoy lower levels of criminal activity. 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 . Honduras - Safety & Security ; Honduras - Country Commercial Guide Honduras Country Commercial Guide. The public transportation sector is a regular target of extortion, and experiences higher levels of homicide than many other sectors. In 2021, almost 39 homicides were committed per 100,000 inhabitants in Honduras. The following diseases are prevalent in Honduras: Chikungunya, Dengue Fever, Malaria, and Zika. The government also enacted a new penal code provision that brought the definition of trafficking in line with the definition under international law. During the presentation of these findings, Alice Shackelford called for "changing the narrative and expressing our intolerance towards this type of violence". These areas are well known for narcotics smuggling and violence. Review OSACs report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System. 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. 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. Honduras requires proof of Yellow Fever immunization if coming from another country endemic with Yellow Fever. 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. Police may take hours to arrive at the scene of a violent crime or may not respond at all. Cable signal theft and counterfeit products are the most prevalent violations of intellectual property rights in Honduras. "I think it is important that young people, and particularly men, raise awareness about this type of violence," added Daniel Vijil, from the youth institution El Milenio. 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. 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. "The issue of gender-based violence is a central human rights issue. Violent gang activity, such as extortion, violent street crime, rape, and narcotics and human trafficking, is widespread. The Honduran government conducts occasional joint police/military patrols in major cities in an effort to reduce crime. Read more about the coordinated response to COVID-19. "Honduras: Death of Keyla Martnez demands prompt, exhaustive and impartial investigation", 9 February You are responsible for ensuring that you meet and comply with foreign entry requirements, health requirements and that you possess the appropriate travel documents. Crime in Roatan, Honduras. Seek legal representation before admitting or signing any legal form that acknowledges culpability. Honduran regulations prohibited charging recruitment fees to workers, but the government did not report enforcement of these regulations in 2020. La Ceiba, Trujillo) and major hotels; other tourist installations have increased private and police security. Safety in El Salvador. 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 primarily the victims of opportunistic crime. Download Historical Data. Yes, despite all the historical crime and violence, which don't affect tourists, El Salvador is safe to visit in 2023. 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. A woman is likely to be killed every 36 hours in this country. Driving in Honduras can be dangerous. Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2019 was 42.01, a 7.91% increase from 2018. Criminals sometimes obtain personal information through social media, the internet, or a victims family member. 2.2. The Embassy cannot secure the release or act as legal representation for any U.S. citizen. According to the Peruvian National Police ( PNP ), crime increased 15% in 2021. Country-specific Vaccination and Health Guidance. Avoid driving at night. 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. Incidents of piracy off the coast of Honduras can occur. 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. 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. Widespread poverty and unemployment, along with significant street gang and drug trafficking activity, have contributed to the extremely high crime rate. Review OSACs reports, Hotels: The Inns and Outs and Considerations for Hotel Security. 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. U.S. citizens have been the victims of a wide range of crimes, including murder, kidnapping, rape, assault, and property crimes. 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. 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. Resolution of disputes in court often takes years. 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. 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. Mass protests and the government's heavy-handed response have damaged the economy and sparked deadly . In 2013, Honduras had the highest rate of violent deaths of women in the world. During the pandemic, violence cases against women increased significantly; the number of emergency calls rose to 282 per day. 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 . An NGO noted courts continued to delay trafficking cases despite a requirement in the anti-trafficking law to process such cases in a timely manner, an issue further exacerbated by the pandemic. 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. Coordinator for the Arctic Region, Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security, Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance, Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, Office of International Religious Freedom, Office of the Special Envoy To Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, Office of the Science and Technology Adviser, Bureau of the Comptroller and Global Financial Services, Bureau of Information Resource Management, Office of Management Strategy and Solutions, Bureau of International Organization Affairs, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, U.S. 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. Experts observed that judges lack of specialized knowledge or experience in handling trafficking cases impeded successful prosecution and conviction of cases. We have provided a few examples below that you can copy and paste to your site: Your data export is now complete. Honduras 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report. The juvenile penal system issued a sentence of six months house arrest for one convicted trafficker who was a child. Most often, pickpocketing and theft of bags and wallets occur here. 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. According to the International Rescue Committee, femicides are a major concern in Honduras. 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. Should a U.S. citizen be kidnapped, local authorities and the U.S. Embassy should be contacted immediately. By comparison, the United States has a global safety ranking of 128. Country Summary: Violent crime, such as homicide and armed robbery, is common. Pilar Lagos, Allan Chan, and PaulVanDeCarrfrom the Development Coordination Office (DCO) provided editorial support. Officials flew Garza, a 48-year-old . Authorities identified five of the victims through calls to government hotlines, and 16 were identified in Mexico or Guatemala and repatriated to Honduras. 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. 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. Travelers in those areas should use extra caution. . Drug trafficking and gang activity, which includes local micro-trafficking of narcotics and extortion, are the main causes of violent crime in Honduras. Individuals should also limit the sharing of personal information and closely screen personal employees. However, visitors have reported being robbed while walking on isolated beaches. 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. The U.S. Embassy estimates at least 30,000 U.S. citizens reside in Honduras. honduras crime and safety report 2022. how to wear a sheath dress to a wedding; apple music not working on android; honduras crime and safety report 2022. figure 8 racing near me 2022; what does the god particle look like; In June, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights found that Honduras had violated the rights to life and personal integrity of Vicky Hernndez, a transgender woman, sex worker and activist killed during the 2009 coup. Counterfeit Honduran lempiras (currency) are common, especially in the 100 and 500 denominations. However, with respect to sex trafficking, these penalties were not commensurate with those prescribed for other serious crimes, such as rape. Children living on the streets are at risk for sex and labor trafficking. The violence is carried out by local drug trafficking groups, gangs, corrupt security forces and transnational criminal organizations mainly from Mexico and Colombia. The U.S. Department of State strongly recommends purchasing international health insurance before traveling internationally. The U.S. Embassy strongly discourages intercity car and bus travel after dark. 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.