Curfew imposed in northern Honduras to address rising violence

The Government of Honduras has implemented a curfew in the town of Choloma in an effort to combat the escalating violence, according to Minister of Security Gustavo Sánchez.

Around 1,000 police officers will be deployed to enforce the orders issued by President Xiomara Castro.

The president announced a series of measures, including 24-hour operations, raids, arrests, and checkpoints following a brutal attack that claimed the lives of 11 people on Saturday night.

President Castro took to Twitter, expressing her determination to provide security to the affected areas.

She said that San Pedro Sula and Choloma are targeted by hired criminals trained and directed by drug trafficking leaders operating with impunity in the region’s drug corridor.

The government also announced a reward of 800,000 lempiras (US$32,600) for any information leading to the whereabouts of the perpetrators responsible for the pool hall massacre in Choloma’s Aurora neighborhood.

The curfew is currently in effect from 21:00 local time (03:00 GMT) until 04:00 (10:00 GMT) and will be extended to San Pedro Sula, starting on July 4, due to the city’s ongoing patron saint fair.

Minister of Security Gustavo Sanchez further disclosed plans to present a proposal to the National Congress next week, seeking to classify members of maras (gangs) and criminal groups as terrorists through a decree.

Honduras continues to grapple with a mounting wave of violence.

Just last Tuesday, a violent clash among inmates in a female penitentiary in Tamara, located in the country’s central region, resulted in the deaths of 46 individuals.