Honduras suspends rights in 2 big cities amid gang crackdown

6/12/2022 12:21

        Honduras became the second country in Central America to impose a state of exception suspending some constitutional rights to help fight street gangs when a decree took effect Monday.
        
        The extraordinary measures target the capital Tegucigalpa and the northern business hub of San Pedro Sula, which have both struggled under the sway of powerful gangs like Barrio 18 and MS-13.
        
        The decree published Monday will last one month, but lawmakers will have the ability to extend it, something that has happened repeatedly in El Salvador since a state of exception was imposed in March.
        
        The Honduran measures affect constitutional rights of association, free movement, searches and arrests. The decree by President Xiomara Castro's government gave as justification the threat to life and property posed by the gangs in both cities.
        
        Retired National Police Commissioner Leandro Osorio said the measures would not only seek to prevent crime, but would also carry repressive actions.