TEGUCIGALPA, June 25 – In light of a series of violent incidents resulting in the deaths of more than 20 individuals, the Honduran government has declared curfews in two northern cities. The attacks, which occurred overnight, have further contributed to the escalating violence within the country.
Deadly Shootings and Multiple Murders: Over the weekend, heavily armed assailants targeted a billiards hall in the manufacturing city of Choloma, located in the northern region. The attack claimed the lives of 13 people, with one individual sustaining critical injuries, according to Edgardo Barahona, a police press representative cited by Reuters. Additionally, at least 11 other murders were reported in separate incidents across the northern Valle de Sula area, including the industrial city of San Pedro Sula.
Responding to the situation, President Xiomara Castro swiftly implemented a 15-day curfew in Choloma, effective immediately. The curfew will be in place from 9 pm to 4 am. Another curfew will be enforced in San Pedro Sula starting on July 4. President Castro announced via Twitter that the government would initiate “multiple operations, raids, captures, and checkpoints” to address the crisis.
Parts of Honduras have been under a partial state of emergency since December, aimed at combating violent gangs and territorial disputes. Security Minister Gustavo Sanchez, during a press conference on Sunday, revealed that the government plans to propose legislation in Congress to classify criminal structures, maras, and gangs as terrorists in the coming days. Furthermore, the government will dispatch an additional 1,000 police and military personnel to the Sula Valley, where Choloma and San Pedro Sul are situated.
In an effort to bring the perpetrators to justice, President Castro announced a cash reward of 800,000 Lempiras ($32,707) for anyone who can provide information leading to the identification and capture of those responsible for the killings in Choloma. These recent attacks follow a tragic event earlier in the week, where 46 individuals lost their lives during a reported gang-related break-in at a women’s prison near the capital city of Tegucigalpa.
With the implementation of curfews, intensified security measures, and the government’s proposal to classify criminal structures as terrorist organizations, Honduras aims to address the surge in violence and ensure the safety of its citizens. The series of attacks and incidents in various regions of the country have underscored the urgent need for robust measures to combat criminal activities and maintain public order.
