Honduras expands and extends its state of emergency

Honduras extended its state of emergency for a second time while also expanding the region it covers as part of Pres. Xiomara Castro's gang crackdown.

TEGUCIGALPA — The Honduran government extended its state of emergency for a second time on Tuesday, while also expanding it to cover a growing portion of the Central American country, as part of leftist President Xiomara Castro’s crackdown on gangs.

The measure, in place since Dec. 6 and first extended in January, suspends some constitutional rights and allows security forces to detain people who they consider associated with or have committed crimes. It will be in place for another 45 days.

The state of emergency, initially covering the country’s two largest cities, now covers 123 municipalities.

“The suspension of rights was extended to municipalities where, according to our analysis, criminal groups have migrated to evade the actions of the police and the state,” police chief Gustavo Sanchez said at a news conference.

Between Dec. 6 and Feb. 20, there have been 356 fewer homicides than in the same period last year, Sanchez said.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/honduras-expands-extends-state-emergency-rcna71757

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