Honduras: Anti-government protest scheduled in Tegucigalpa August 14 /update 10

Event

Groups of Honduran students are due to protest on Wednesday, August 14, to denounce President Juan Orlando Hernandez and demand his resignation in Tegucigalpa. Protesters are to gather at the National Autonomous University of Honduras at 09:000 (local time). Reports indicate that several students have been occupying university buildings in protest since the week prior.

Associated transportation disruptions and a heightened security presence is likely in the vicinity of the protest.

Context

Anti-government protests on August 6 ended in clashes with the police, after police officers attempted to disperse the crowd with tear gas and water cannons. In response, demonstrators reportedly threw stones and sticks at the officers and burned nearby businesses. This protest was organized after a court document filed in the US on Friday, August 2, alleged that President Hernández's 2013 campaign received 1.5 million USD from drug traffickers. Hernández denied the allegations, claiming that the report is part of a smear campaign by political rivals and drug gangs.

Honduras has experienced a wave of violent demonstrations against President Hernández in recent months, after the government presented reforms in the education and health sectors. Many doctors and teachers, with the support of students, have been demonstrating and blockading streets for over a month against two government decrees that, in their opinion, privatize health and education. On June 24, police stormed a university and shot at students in Tegucigalpa, injuring eight.

Advice

Individuals in Honduras, particularly in Tegucigalpa, are advised to monitor the situation, avoid all public demonstrations as a precaution, anticipate transportation disruptions and a heightened security presence in the vicinity of all protests, and adhere to instructions issued by local authorities.