Gang clashes often take place in Honduras. A deadly gang violence occurred this week in a women’s prison. According to multiple sources including the BBC, one of the gangs locked the rival gang in a prison cell and set fire and clashes subsequently erupted between the rival gangs at the Tamara facility — 20 kilometers from the Honduran capital city Tegucigalpa — leading to the death of around forty women prisoners. This is definitely not the only gang violence. Gang violence in prisons and other places including streets took place frequently. A deadly gang violence took place at the La Tolva prison in 2019 leading to several deaths. But frequent gang violence in Honduran prisons and other places has definitely become a concern.
There are definitely many organized gangs including MS-13 and Barrio 18 that engage in clashes against each other and a range of criminal activities in Honduras including drug trafficking, extortion and murder. Many people are murdered by gangs. Additionally, gang crimes hinder economic development and foreign investment in the country. Along with men, many women are involved in gangs and gang crimes. Definitely, the Honduran government has strengthened its efforts to address the problem of gangs in the country. Increased police presence, harsh penalties for gang crimes and improved prison facilities are the main steps. But the efforts have not resulted in the desired success in preventing gang formation and gang crimes and reducing gang clashes within and outside prisons because of the inadequacy of the steps, less focus on addressing the root causes of gang culture and other causes.
It is pertinently notable that many factors lead to gang formation and gang violence in Honduras — a major transit route for cocaine coming from South America to the United States. Poverty, a lack of education opportunities, political instability and corruption are definitely crucial causes of gang formation. The involvement of women in gangs is mostly driven by coercion and/or violence against them. Territorial control and the control of economically lucrative drug trafficking operations often lead to gang clashes. According to multiple sources, the La Tolva prison violence was driven by the competition for territorial control and drug operations. But a lack of prison security, inadequate prison management, overcrowded and under-resourced prison facilities and other causes are responsible for frequent gang violence in prisons.
It is desired that gang clashes in prisons and other places are ended in Honduras. Prison riots, which are often linked to organized crime, need to be prevented with improved prison management. While law enforcement based efforts are crucial, emphasis needs to be given to addressing the underlying social and economic causes of gang formation and gang crimes committed by men and women gangs. Investment in education programs and the creation of job opportunities may reduce organized crimes. Programs need to be taken to provide support and resources for men and women interested in leaving gang life. The exploitation of women needs to be addressed. Increased collaboration is needed with neighboring countries to successfully combat gang crimes.
Amir M Sayem
Chief Editor
Dhaka Opinion Magazine
