Pendant le réseau, André (AF) nous a fait part de cette mise en garde :
TRAVEL REPORT (CANADA)
Honduras
Last Updated: December 5, 2011 10:04 EST Still Valid: January 29, 2012 7:42 EST S
3. SAFETY AND SECURITY
The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions.
Crime
The security situation has seriously deteriorated in Honduras. Travellers should exercise a high degree of caution throughout the country, as Honduras has the highest homicide rate in Central America. Growing poverty and the increased presence of street gangs contribute to an already significant crime rate, and the apprehension and conviction rate of criminals remains low. A large percentage of the population is armed. Guns and weapons such as machetes and knives are frequently used in robberies. Perpetrators may use violence if the victim resists.
Serious crime, including armed robbery, kidnapping, carjacking, home invasion and sexual assault, is common and armed attacks on marine vessels have been reported. Tourists have been targeted by criminals in and around San Pedro Sula (including in vehicles leaving the airport), on the ferry from La Ceiba to the Bay Islands, in Tela, Trujillo, Tegucigalpa and Goascorán. On Roatán Island, robbers have targeted homes and long-term leased residences. Travellers visiting the Bay Islands should exercise particular caution around inhabited coastal areas and avoid walking on isolated beaches, especially at night. Remain aware of your surroundings, particularly on the beaches of Tela and in the north coast region. There have been reports of attacks on foreigners on beaches after dark.
Assaults have occurred after travellers were followed. Use discretion when discussing your travel plans in public. Travellers should also exercise caution in dealing with strangers or recent acquaintances and be extremely careful when accepting rides or invitations. As incidents of sexual assault sometimes involve the use of sedative drugs, travellers should avoid leaving their drinks or food unattended in bars and places of entertainment. In resort areas, stay on supervised beaches and do not walk in isolated or unpopulated areas. Hitchhiking is strongly discouraged. Campers should always ensure that facilities are patrolled and well lit. Whenever possible, travel in a group, as there have been reports of attacks on tourists walking alone.
Robberies and bus/carjackings occur along Honduran highways. Intercity public transportation should be avoided, especially on the road from Limones to La Unión and in the Sula valley in northern Honduras. Armed gangs frequently perpetrate robberies along the road from La Esperanza to Gracias (CA-11a), as well as on Route 41 in Olancho around Salamá and northward to Saba. Route 39 between Gualaco and San Esteban is also dangerous and should be avoided. Remain alert en route to El Progreso, Tela, Trujillo, La Ceiba, and on the road through Santa Bárbara. Travelling on major roads between towns and cities is safer than travelling on remote routes.
Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and bag snatching, is prevalent. Canadians are advised to exercise a high degree of caution at all times, including in the vicinity of hotels and in airports, bus terminals, shopping malls and other public places. Do not display signs of affluence, such as valuables (including cameras and phones), cash and bank or credit cards. Remain alert to your surroundings after using automated banking machines (ABMs), and avoid carrying large sums of money. Avoid walking or travelling alone and after dark, particularly in Tegucigalpa, in San Pedro Sula and in the regions of Atlántida, Cortés, Colón, Yoro, Copán and Ocotepeque.
Always ensure that personal belongings and documents are secure. Travellers should carry photocopies of travel documents and leave the originals in the hotel safe.
Do not stop to attend to a body on the roadside; report it to the next police point instead. Incidents have occurred where thieves have posed as victims of road accidents. Drive with windows closed and doors locked at all times. At roadblocks, drivers should establish the identity of the individuals stopping them before rolling down the window or opening the door.
Narcotics smuggling and violence pose threats to the security of travellers in the northern departments of Olancho, Colón and Gracias a Dios. The department of Olancho is one of the most violent areas in Honduras. Travellers in that area should be particularly vigilant, as there have been incidents involving roadblocks and violence related to land disputes, particularly in the north coast area near Trujillo.
You should also exercise caution at the border areas with Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua and use official border points only. You should cross the border in the morning to avoid problems, as crossings are sometimes closed early in the evening.
The emergency number for local police is 199. Police response to criminal incidents may be limited and delayed and the Honduran police generally do not speak English or French. The judicial and crime investigation systems both lack personnel, equipment and resources, and police forces are often corrupt. There are tourist police forces in Tegucigalpa, Roatán, La Ceiba, Copán, Tela and San Pedro Sula.
ANDRÉ, VA2AF
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