Honduras: Students clash with police in Tegucigalpa July 25

Event

Media sources reported an increased police presence around the National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH) in Tegucigalpa on Wednesday, July 26. Violent clashes between around 1000 protesting students and police broke out on Tuesday, July 25, after security forces attempted to disperse the demonstrators. Students threw rocks at the officers, who responded with tear gas and water cannons. Security forces blocked off Blvd. Suyapa during the protest. Demonstrations are likely to continue in the coming weeks and additional violence cannot be ruled out.

Context

Violent clashes broke out at UNAH between students and private security guards on July 17. Around 12 people were wounded in the fighting after members of the University Student Movement (MEU) erected blockades at the entrance to some university buildings, and reportedly used sticks and stones to prevent the private security officers from removing them.

According to UNAH, the ongoing sit-ins and protests by the MEU has delayed the second academic period and is threatening to disrupt the third. Students have been unable to attend classes in the buildings that have been occupied by the protesters. MEU leaders are demanding that the current rector of the school, Julieta Castellanos, resign and that criminal charges against around 20 student protesters be suspended. The group is also demonstrating against the conviction of three former students who were found guilty of disrupting school services in 2016 during protests against proposed academic reforms.

Advice

Individuals in Tegucigalpa are advised to monitor the situation and to avoid all protests as a precaution. Note that political activism by foreign nationals is prohibited under Honduran law; foreigners who take part in demonstrations or other political activities risk detention and or/deportation.