Honduran military police take control of prisons and conduct extensive searches

The Honduran Military Police has taken over the country’s prisons and carried out thorough searches following a deadly clash in a female prison near Tegucigalpa last week, which resulted in the death of 46 inmates.

According to a statement on their Twitter account, the armed institution reported that the Armed Forces, through the Military Police of Public Order (PMOP), launched “Operation Faith and Hope” to regain control, direction, and governance of the prisons across the country.

The operation commenced in the early morning hours, targeting facilities such as Ilama in the department of Santa Bárbara (west), and the National Female Penitentiary for Social Adaptation (PNFAS) in the department of Francisco Morazán (center).

During the searches, authorities seized firearms, grenades, sharp weapons, assault rifles, satellite phones, tear gas bombs, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

This operation comes nearly a week after the deadly clash at the National Women’s Penitentiary for Social Adaptation (PNFAS) in Támara, where 46 inmates lost their lives.

Colonel Ramiro Muñoz, the commander of the PMOP, emphasized in statements to the local press that they are committed to controlling and restoring order in the prisons, considering it a non-negotiable objective.

Last week, Honduran President Xiomara Castro ordered the PMOP to assume control of the prisons and announced plans to construct a high-security prison on the Caribbean island of Cisne, designated for leaders of criminal organizations.