HomeNewsBriefMexico Crime Tactics Migrating to Honduras
BRIEF

Mexico Crime Tactics Migrating to Honduras

CRIMINAL MIGRATION / 2 OCT 2013 BY CHARLES PARKINSON EN

The brutal criminal tactics associated with Mexico's cartels are becoming increasingly common in Honduras, suggesting a migration of criminal methods as well as operations. 

Macabre Mexican-style violence is now taking place in Honduras, former Forensic Medicine Director Amilcar Rodas, told El Heraldo. Hondurans are living in fear they could fall victims to "any type of violent act," he said, and that perception is correct. 

Dismemberment, burning and public hangings are used to create collective hysteria, said a criminologist who wanted to remain anonymous. The criminologist highlighted the assassination of children and the elderly as a method used by criminals to instil fear in both their enemies and citizens.

According to the criminologist the phenomenon was the result of the "cockroach effect," also known as the "balloon effect," as criminals have spread out from Mexico and into other countries to escape the attentions of law enforcement. 

InSight Crime Analysis

The migration of criminal groups and activities has long been observed, with the likes of Mexican groups the Zetas and the Sinaloa Cartel increasingly active in Central America in recent years, partly as a result of law enforcement efforts that have made it harder for these organizations to operate on their home turf.

SEE ALSO: The Zetas in Guatemala 

What is now being reported in Honduras suggests it's not just criminal operations that are migrating but also psychological tactics. The increasing brutality of Mexican criminal groups has proven effective at controlling civilian populations as well as the organizations' own ranks. It makes sense that criminal organizations in other countries might want to follow suit, especially in Honduras, where huge drug trafficking profits are at stake, and which is already the most murderous country in the world.

The Mexican-style violence in Honduras may be the result of local organizations employing copycat tactics or it may simply be the result of Mexican groups' increasing activity in the country; the government stated earlier this year that the Zetas, the most violent of the Mexican cartels and one famed for its extreme brutality, now has an established presence in Honduras.

share icon icon icon

Was this content helpful?

We want to sustain Latin America’s largest organized crime database, but in order to do so, we need resources.

DONATE

What are your thoughts? Click here to send InSight Crime your comments.

We encourage readers to copy and distribute our work for non-commercial purposes, with attribution to InSight Crime in the byline and links to the original at both the top and bottom of the article. Check the Creative Commons website for more details of how to share our work, and please send us an email if you use an article.

Was this content helpful?

We want to sustain Latin America’s largest organized crime database, but in order to do so, we need resources.

DONATE

Related Content

COCAINE / 30 AUG 2022

Cocaine in Australia remains difficult to access, with traffickers either selling low-quality or entirely fake doses.

BELTRAN LEYVA ORG / 12 AUG 2021

Mexico's process of criminal fragmentation has been a slow burn. Many of the country's mightiest criminal groups have been unable…

EXTORTION / 7 OCT 2021

Despite the pandemic’s economic fallout being felt throughout the Riviera Maya, cartels have continued their extortion schemes in Mexico's popular…

About InSight Crime

THE ORGANIZATION

All Eyes on Ecuador

2 JUN 2023

Our coverage of organized crime in Ecuador continues to be a valuable resource for international and local news outlets. Internationally, Reuters cited our 2022 Homicide Round-Up,…

WORK WITH US

Open Position: Social Media and Engagement Strategist

27 MAY 2023

InSight Crime is looking for a Social Media and Engagement Strategist who will be focused on maintaining and improving InSight Crime’s reputation and interaction with its audiences through publishing activities…

THE ORGANIZATION

Venezuela Coverage Receives Great Reception

27 MAY 2023

Several of InSight Crime’s most recent articles about Venezuela have been well received by regional media. Our article on Venezuela’s colectivos expanding beyond their political role to control access to…

THE ORGANIZATION

InSight Crime's Chemical Precursor Report Continues

19 MAY 2023

For the second week in a row, our investigation into the flow of precursor chemicals for the manufacture of synthetic drugs in Mexico has been cited by multiple regional media…

THE ORGANIZATION

InSight Crime’s Chemical Precursor Report Widely Cited

THE ORGANIZATION / 12 MAY 2023

We are proud to see that our recently published investigation into the supply chain of chemical precursors feeding Mexico’s synthetic drug production has been warmly received.