Honduras: President deploys military to contain violent protests June 20 /update 2

Event

President Juan Orlando Hernández deployed military personnel to provide support to police officers responding to violent protests across the country on Thursday, June 20. Demonstrations that began on Wednesday, June 19, turned violent on Thursday, resulting in over 21 people being wounded and at least two fatalities. Security forces have reportedly arrested over 24 people during the protests. Demonstrators in the capital Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula erected roadblocks on Thursday causing significant traffic disruptions. Looting and other acts of vandalism were also reported around the demonstrations.

Protests may continue into Friday, June 21, and a heightened security presence is expected in major urban areas, particularly in Tegucigalpa. Traffic disruptions are expected around all protest sites and further clashes between security forces and protesters cannot be ruled out.

Context

Members of the National Directorate of Special Forces (DNFE) went on strike on Tuesday, June 18, to demand better benefits. The protest coincided with a work stoppage by truck drivers, who erected roadblocks nationwide as part of their demonstration. While the government reached an agreement with the truck drivers on Wednesday, tensions escalated as more people took to the streets. Violent clashes were reported in Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, Olancho, and Comayagua.

Advice

Individuals in Honduras are advised to monitor the situation, avoid all public demonstrations as a precaution, anticipate localized disruption and a heightened security presence in the event of any demonstrations, and adhere to instructions issued by local authorities.