Can the state of emergency curb violence in Honduras?

Over eighteen months have passed since Xiomara Castro’s government declared a state of emergency, yet violence and crime rates in Honduras have remained consistently high. This situation has fueled ongoing discussions regarding the success of this approach in addressing national security concerns.

Since its approval in December 2022, the state of emergency was proposed as an immediate response to the territorial control of gangs in urban and rural areas. However, its uninterrupted application for more than 18 months and repeated extensions have failed to contain phenomena such as extortion, homicides, and other forms of violence that directly affect strategic sectors of the economy and daily life.

Ongoing crime and public attitudes

Several studies from civic groups and law enforcement statistics concur that criminal organizations persist in functioning with strong intimidation abilities, particularly in strategic routes in the northern and central parts of the nation. Business owners, transport providers, and locals still report unlawful charges, intimidation, and homicides in regions where the government keeps a military and police presence during the emergency situation.

Local leaders, including an individual consulted in Tegucigalpa, have reported that “the community continues to live in fear” and that no significant progress in safety is observed. These voices caution that criminal activity still dominates many neighborhoods, while officials provide statistics that do not match the street reality, which has increased public skepticism.

Inquiries regarding the government’s strategy

The emergency situation was designed as an exceptional action to combat organized crime, granting specific powers for the intervention by law enforcement. Nonetheless, its enforcement has faced criticism due to its extended duration and the lack of a holistic plan.

Documents from the National Human Rights Commissioner (CONADEH) and global entities have highlighted a rise in accounts of unjust arrests and breaches of basic rights.

At the same time, security experts warn that militarization without operational intelligence has not yielded sustainable results or weakened criminal structures.

“The government’s approach has been more forceful than planned,” stated a security expert, who feels that a prevention-focused, justice-oriented, and coordinated institutional strategy has not been implemented.

Calls for a comprehensive security policy

Due to the ongoing state of emergency and the continued issue of extortion, a significant crime affecting the informal economy, public transit, and community stability, various sectors have urged for a technical assessment of the existing security measures.

Reports of extortion continue to rise and, although sporadic arrests of alleged leaders are reported, these actions have not had a sustained deterrent effect. According to testimonies gathered in local media, many victims choose to remain silent or flee due to the lack of guarantees of protection.

The corporate community has voiced apprehension over the absence of tangible outcomes and has urged for a rework of the security strategy, involving legal experts, community groups, and international collaboration. “Honduras does not require additional media spectacles. It requires genuine achievements,” stated a representative for the business community, calling for openness and responsibility in the application of special measures.

Difficulties faced by institutions in a setting of continuous violence

The extension of the state of emergency without a transparent evaluation of its success underscores the conflict between the need to curb violence and the obligation to uphold democratic principles and basic rights. In a nation characterized by weak institutions and significant distrust towards the authorities, the emphasis on security continues to be a source of contention among the government, various social groups, and the citizenry.

The main issue confronting Xiomara Castro’s government is to develop a sustainable approach that merges crime management with inclusive, legitimate public policy and wide-ranging involvement. In the meantime, ongoing violence and the feeling of insecurity leave citizens, who are still awaiting successful and durable solutions, in suspense.