07 Jan 2023 | 08:28 PM UTC
Honduras: Authorities broaden geographic scope of state of emergency to cover most of country as of Jan. 7, extend associated measures until Feb. 20 /update 2
As of Jan. 7, Honduran officials extend state of emergency until at least Feb. 20, broadening its geographic scope to cover most of country.
Event
As of Jan. 7, Honduran authorities have confirmed that the country's state of emergency, which was initially focused on parts of Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, will continue to be in effect until at least Feb. 20 in order to combat the activities of criminal organizations; the measures may be extended further. Authorities have also broadened the geographic scope of the state of emergency to include municipalities from all departments, except for Gracias a Dios Department.
The state of emergency allows authorities to partially suspend constitutional rights in affected areas, including freedom of association, freedom of movement, and usual limitations on searches and arrests; it is likely that police could make arrests without warrants and hold suspects in preventive detention. Authorities may also tighten control over telecommunications, including government monitoring of the selling of SIM cards for cell phones. The measures will almost certainly be focused on areas where the most gang-related extortion occurs. The government is likely to deploy thousands of additional police to affected areas.
Increased security measures are likely in lower-income neighborhoods under the state of emergency where violent crime is a concern. Business and transport disruptions are likely as security forces conduct searches.
Context
President Xiomara Castro declared the state of emergency in response to the activity of several large criminal organizations, particularly the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and Barrio 18 (18th Street Gang, Calle 18, Mara 18, La 18) gangs. Authorities claim that the gangs have carried out extensive programs of extortion against businesses, transport drivers, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), employing violence against entities that do not pay protection money. MS-13 and Barrio 18 both have an extensive presence throughout Central America. Reports indicate that gang violence is most extensive in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, where the state of emergency was initially focused.
Advice
Heed the instructions of security personnel. Plan accordingly for possible travel and freight shipping delays due to checkpoints and tighter security inspections. Comply with the directives of authorities. Monitor local news sources for more information on localized security measures.
