Honduras: Authorities extend state of emergency until at least April 6 /update 3

Event

Authorities in Honduras have extended the country's existing state of emergency (SoE) until April 6; the SoE initially went into force in late November 2022 for the purpose of combatting organized crime. In addition to remaining in effect in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, the measure has also been expanded to another 48 municipalities nationwide. Fpr the full list of affected municipalities, click here.

The state of emergency allows authorities to partially suspend constitutional rights in affected areas, including freedom of association, freedom of movement, and the usual legal restrictions 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 focus on areas where the most gang-related activity occurs. The government will likely deploy thousands of additional police to locations subject to the SoE.

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.