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Why Do Latin American Governments Keep Betting on States of Emergency?
Several Latin American countries have recently declared or prolonged states of emergency aimed at combating organized crime.
InSight Crime asks why, if the results of these…
In November 2022, Honduran President Xiomara Castro declared a state of emergency to combat rising extortion in the country. In a move that mimicked the policies of the government of El Salvador, Castro suspended constitutional rights in some areas of the country and rolled out a new set of security measures designed to combat the Mara Salvatrucha (MS13) and Barrio 18 gangs.
The strategy, however, has failed to achieve the same success as in El Salvador, where the gangs were virtually dismantled. In Honduras, extortion and other crimes have continued despite repeated extensions of the state of emergency.
In this special series, InSight Crime follows Honduras’ state of emergency and its impact on organized crime.
Articles in this Series
Criminal Profiles
Mara Salvatrucha (MS13)
The Mara Salvatrucha, or MS13, is perhaps the most notorious street gang in the Western Hemisphere. While it has its origins in the poor, refugee-laden neighborhoods of 1980s Los Angeles, the gang’s reach now spans from Central America to Europe.
Criminal Profiles
Barrio 18
The 18th Street Gang, also known as Barrio 18, is one of the largest youth gangs in the Western Hemisphere, much like its better-known rival, the Mara Salvatrucha (MS13). While the gang has cells operating from Central America to Canada, it has been greatly weakened in El Salvador following a nationwide security crackdown, launched by the Nayib Bukele government in March 2022.
All about Honduras
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