Honduras Ain't Somalia, Not Even Close
Wednesday, 25 January 2012 14:49
With all the notoriety Honduras has been receiving of late because of its high recorded homicide rate (86 murders per 100,000 people), you would think that it'd be listed among the Top 10 most dangerous nations. Not so.
By Marco Cáceres
This morning's rescue of Jessica Buchanan and Poul Hagen in Somalia by US Navy SEALs was an amazing operation similar to the one that was responsible for killing Osama bin Laden on May 11, 2011, in Pakistan. The two aid workers had been held hostage in a desert compound by Somali pirates since October 25 when they were kidnapped at gunpoint. At the time, they had been working with a de-mining unit of the Danish Refugee Council in northern Somalia. Hostage taking by pirates has become a relatively common practice in Somalia in recent years. Hostages are held for months in grueling conditions by pirates demanding ransoms of millions of dollars. On October 23, 2009, a British couple -- Paul and Rachel Chandler -- sailing in the Indian Ocean was captured by Somali pirates and held for more than a year.
There are just certain countries you don't want to be anywhere near. Somalia is one of them. It is one of the most dangerous countries on earth because there exists no functional central government or minimal semblance of law and order. There are numerous other countries in similar extremely chaotic and violent circumstances -- either because of ongoing civil wars or sectarian conflicts or genocide or famine. Of course, there's Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, and the Russian Caucuasus. Nigeria, Syria, and Yemen are pretty nasty places at the moment.
You probably still want to stay as far as you can from from Libya. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remains a basket case, as are Guinea and Sudan. Oh yeah, the Central African Republic has been experiencing a little rebellion in the north.
All the countries previously noted (along with a few more) are places that the US State Department warns people to stay clear of because they are too off-the-charts dangerous. In other words... where the probability of something very bad happening to you is fairly good.
With all the notoriety Honduras has been receiving of late because of its high recorded homicide rate (86 murders per 100,000 people), you would think that it'd be listed among the Top 10 most dangerous nations. Not so. For while crime rate is one category by which to judge the level of danger in a country, it is only one of several. Others include civil unrest, geopolitical instability, kidnapping threat, military conflict, and terrorism risk.
Honduras is without a doubt a violent piece of real estate. A substantial number of people get killed for various reasons (drugs, politics, land, personal), and it is senseless to try to obscure the numbers and minimize the severity of the situation. It's worth mentioning, though, that having the highest homicide rate in the world and being the most dangerous country in the world are not one in the same. The former title may be deserved. The latter is not. (1/25/12) (photo of Somali pirate courtesy Internet)
Note: The author is the editor and cofounder of Honduras Weekly. He is also the cofounder of projecthonduras.com, an international network of volunteers involved in humanitarian development projects aimed at empowering the people of Honduras. He directs the annual Conference on Honduras in the town of Copán Ruinas in northwestern Honduras. He was born in Tegucigalpa.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
"Crime is endemic in Honduras and requires a high degree of caution by visitors and residents alike. U.S. citizens have been the victims of a wide range of crimes, including murder, kidnapping, rape, assault, and property crimes. Widespread poverty and unemployment, along with significant street gang and drug cartel activity, have contributed to the extremely high crime rate. There were 6,236 homicides in Honduras in 2009, a rate of 77 per 100,000 inhabitants, which is one of the highest murder rates in the world.
Since 1995, 98 U.S. citizens have been reported murdered in Honduras; however, only twenty-eight cases have been resolved. As of July 2011, four U.S. citizens have been reported murdered in Honduras in 2011; nine in 2010; 18 in 2009; seven in 2008; four in 2007; eight in 2006; and nine in 2005.
Kidnappings have also been on the rise in recent years, with large ransoms paid and infrequent capture of the kidnappers. Seven U.S. citizens were reported kidnapped in 2010; 12 in 2009; three in 2008; three in 2007; four in 2006; and three in 2005.
U.S. citizens are primarily the victims of opportunistic crime. There is no evidence suggesting criminals specifically target U.S. citizens, but nonetheless, foreigners have been targeted for crime due to their perceived wealth. Weapons abound in Honduras and armed street robberies are especially common, with criminals taking advantage of relatively isolated victims to steal their valuables. Young males working in pairs, often riding motorcycles, are perpetrating many of the armed robberies in Honduras’ urban areas. Criminals and pickpockets target visitors as they enter and depart airports and hotels, so visitors should consider carrying their passports and valuables in a concealed pouch. There have also been reports of armed robbers traveling in private cars targeting pedestrians on isolated streets.
Incidents of crime along roads, including carjacking and kidnapping, are common in Honduras. There have been frequent incidents of carjacking and highway robbery on a number of roads including the main highway (CA-5) between San Pedro Sula and Siguatepeque, with the greatest risk between Potrerillos and Pito Solo in the lake area. For more information, please see the section below on Traffic Safety and Road Conditions.
Travelers should always drive with their doors locked and windows rolled up to avoid potential robberies at traffic lights and other places, such as congested downtown streets. Avoid driving at night. All bus travel should be during daylight hours and on first-class conveyances, not on economy buses. Choose taxis carefully, and note the driver’s name and license number. Instruct the driver not to pick up other passengers, agree on the fare before you depart, and have small bills available for payment, as taxi drivers often do not make change.
Kidnappings for ransom have occurred in affluent areas where individuals may be targeted for their connections to the business community. Although U.S. citizens have not been specifically targeted because of their citizenship, they may be at increased risk for targeting than the average local citizen because of their presumed wealth. Kidnappings of U.S. citizens in early 2009 took place while the victims were sitting in their cars outside their homes or schools. In some cases, investigators believe that the kidnappings were arranged by people who knew the victims. Travelers are encouraged to be vigilant of their surroundings at all times, especially when entering or exiting their homes, cars, garages, schools, and workplaces. It is also recommended that drivers vary their routes and schedules so as to not create a predictable routine. Individuals should also limit the sharing of personal information and closely screen personal employees. Should a U.S. citizen be kidnapped, local authorities and the Embassy should be contacted immediately.
Do not resist a robbery attempt. Most criminals have weapons, and most injuries and deaths have resulted when victims have resisted. In 2004, an American citizen was murdered while attempting to flee an armed robbery in progress and another American was shot while resisting a carjacking. Several American citizens have been injured or killed while resisting armed robberies. Do not hitchhike or go home with strangers, particularly from nightspots. Whenever possible, travel in groups of two or more persons. Use the same common sense while traveling in Honduras that you would in any high crime area in the United States: do not wear excessive jewelry; do not carry large sums of money, or display cash, ATM/credit cards, or other valuables. Avoid walking at night in most areas of Honduras and exercise strong caution during the day. Do not hike alone in backcountry areas, or walk alone on beaches, historic ruins, or trails.
The Honduran government conducts occasional joint police/military patrols in major cities in an effort to reduce crime. Problems with the judicial process include corruption and an acute shortage of trained personnel, equipment, staff, and financial resources. The Honduran law enforcement authorities’ ability to prevent, respond to, and investigate criminal incidents and prosecute criminals is limited. Honduran police generally do not speak English. The government has established a special tourist police in the resort town of Tela and other tourist destinations including Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, La Ceiba, and Roatan, but the number deployed is small and coverage is limited.
The Basilica of Suyapa in Tegucigalpa, also known as Suyapa Church or Cathedral, is an important religious site and popular tourist destination. However, it is situated in a high crime area and has been the site of numerous armed robberies and thefts. Official Americans are only allowed to visit the Basilica of Suyapa with an organized tour group that provides armed security for the group.
The San Pedro Sula area has seen armed robberies against tourist vans, minibuses, and cars traveling from the airport to area hotels, and there have also been armed robberies along the road to Copan. Armed men have forced vehicles transporting tourists off the road and robbed the victims, occasionally assaulting the driver or passengers. In past years, several U.S. citizens have been murdered in San Pedro Sula and La Ceiba shortly after arriving in the country. Assaults in these areas may be based on tips from sources at airport arrival areas, so visitors are strongly urged to exercise caution in discussing travel plans in public.
Copan, Roatan/Bay Islands, and other tourist destinations have a lower crime rate than other parts of the country, but thefts, break-ins, assaults, and murders do occur. Exercise particular caution walking on isolated beaches, especially at night. Coxen Hole on the island of Roatan should be avoided after dark.
The Government of Honduras has a very limited law enforcement presence in some northern coastal areas, including parts of the departments of Olancho, Colon, and Gracias a Dios. These areas are well known for narcotics smuggling and violence. Travelers in those areas should use extra caution."