People

Honduras is a key source, transit and destination country for human trafficking, with well-established networks operating both domestically and regionally. Traffickers exploit victims, particularly women and girls, in forced labour and commercial sexual exploitation within Honduras and abroad, notably in Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Spain and the US. Foreign victims primarily originate from Colombia, Belize, Guatemala and Mexico. In 2024, the issue gained heightened national attention due to the dismantling of trafficking networks and an increase in reported cases of forced disappearances of students, suspected to be linked to trafficking. The demand for victims spans various sectors, including street vending, forced begging, domestic service and commercial sex work. Forced labour is prevalent in agriculture, construction, mining, manufacturing and hospital services, disproportionately affecting children, indigenous groups and Afro-descendants. Traffickers also increasingly attempt to infiltrate the adoption system, exploiting vulnerable children.

Honduras is both an origin and transit country for human smuggling, facilitating the movement of Honduran and foreign migrants, primarily from Venezuela, Cuba, Haiti, Ecuador, Colombia, China and Senegal. Smuggling routes extend through northern Central America, particularly via Guatemala and El Salvador, with key entry points from Nicaragua in the departments of El Paraíso and Choluteca. The administrative penalty fee increase for irregular migration in Honduras has incentivized migrants to bypass official controls, and corruption in the document issuance process has been reported. Prices escalate depending on services, reaching up to US$10 000.

Honduras has one of the most entrenched extortion markets in Central America, generating profits that exceed those in neighbouring Guatemala and El Salvador. Nearly all sectors of society are affected, with the transport industry particularly vulnerable. Recently, public transport workers were killed and dozens of buses burned after refusing to pay extortion demands. Most extortion operations are coordinated from within prisons. While cash payments remain common, digital extortion is rising, with bank transfer and electronic wallet-based extortion increasing. One method, gota a gota lending, allows gangs to extort victims through high-interest microloans. Extortion has also driven internal displacement, with many affected families forced to relocate.

Trade

Honduras has a well-established arms trafficking market, with weapons primarily sourced from the US. Authorities have seized weapons including AR-15 rifles, 9mm pistols and national police uniforms used in illicit activities. Despite a decline in homicides, most killings have been committed with the use of firearms, and a significant percentage of assassinations have been attributed to organized crime. Corruption within the penitentiary system facilitates internal weapons trafficking. The conviction of former President Juan Orlando Hernández in the US for trafficking a wide array of weapons further underscores the extent of the issue. The impact of this criminal market extends beyond violence, severely disrupting Honduras by degrading public structures and governance.

Although the counterfeit goods market in Honduras remains relatively modest, it is expanding. Counterfeit clothing, footwear, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals are prevalent. Corruption undermines enforcement efforts, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector, where counterfeit medicines pose public health risks. The illicit trade of excise goods, primarily cigarettes and alcoholic beverages, is relatively small but persistent. There has been an ongoing rise in local demand for smuggled cigarettes since 2023. Products enter Honduras through official border points and clandestine routes, particularly via Belize and Guatemala. China is the primary source of illicit cigarettes.

Environment

Illegal logging is widespread, with most of Honduras’s wood production derived from illicit sources. The most affected regions include Olancho, Yolo and Gracias de Dios, where high-value species, such as mahogany and cedar, are extracted and trafficked, particularly to China, Hong Kong and the US. Another area under severe distress is La Moskitía, a vital natural reserve that is also home to indigenous communities. Deforestation is closely linked to drug trafficking, with criminal organizations clearing land for agriculture and livestock to launder proceeds. Palm oil plantations have expanded into protected areas, including Blanca Jeanette Kawas National Park, as organized crime groups use this sector for money laundering.

Honduras’s diverse wildlife is targeted by illegal poaching networks, with species such as green iguanas, scarlet macaws and white-tailed deer trafficked for the pet trade and tourism industry. Animals are trafficked both domestically and internationally through established routes, including from the Moskitía to the unrecognized highway between Olancho and Gracias Dios, or via the Patuca River to Puerto Lempira. Criminals often use fishing vessels or private boats to transport these specimens to the Isles of Honduras, where they are exploited. The country also grapples with a significant illegal fishing market, targeting species such as lobster, shark meat and crab.

Honduras also faces challenges with non-renewable resource crimes, primarily fuel smuggling and illegal mining. Illegal gold mining persists, with products from the extraction generally smuggled abroad. Fuel smuggling operations, primarily involving Venezuelan and Mexican supplies, are controlled by organized crime groups. These activities undermine the country’s tax revenue and disadvantage licensed workers.

Drugs

Honduras does not have a significant heroin market, with little evidence of local demand. However, concerns exist over potential future cultivation, given recent poppy plantation discoveries in Guatemala. The country remains a critical cocaine transit point and is increasingly a producer. Cocaine enters via maritime and aerial routes, primarily through Limón and La Moskitía, before moving towards Guatemala. Coca cultivation has expanded in remote regions, and disputes among criminal groups have intensified violence. Despite increased interdictions, large-scale trafficking continues, often facilitated by corruption. The extradition of former President Hernández to the US on drug trafficking charges illustrates state-embedded involvement.

Cannabis is widely cultivated and consumed in Honduras, particularly in La Moskitía, Yoro and Colón, where seizures were reported during the period. The market remains primarily domestic, though an increasingly potent variant known as ‘Crispy’ cannabis has emerged.

Synthetic drug use is growing, with substances such as pink cocaine, GHB and fentanyl appearing at social events. Fentanyl is legally available in medical settings but suspected of being diverted for illicit purposes. Authorities have identified trafficking routes from the UK and Colombia to Honduras.

Cyber Crimes

Cyber-dependent crimes remain high, affecting businesses and state institutions. Honduras faces a high risk of cybersecurity threats, according to recent reports. High-profile incidents include the 2024 ransomware attack on Claro telecommunications, impacting its Central American operations. Moreover, due to concerns about increased fraud and other risks associated with cryptocurrency transactions, financial institutions were prohibited from trading, investing in, facilitating or holding cryptocurrencies and related virtual assets without prior authorization.

Financial Crimes

Banking scams are pervasive, with multiple daily reports of fraud in cities such as San Pedro Sula. Criminal organizations use ‘mule accounts’ to launder money, while prominent political figures have been implicated in large-scale embezzlement cases. Corruption continues to facilitate financial crimes, exacerbated by weak enforcement capabilities.

Criminal Actors

Mafia-style groups in Honduras exert significant control over criminal markets, engaging in extortion, money laundering, human smuggling and drug trafficking. The most prominent groups, Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and Barrio 18, dominate illicit activities, including human trafficking, robbery and arms trafficking. These groups operate within Honduras and extend their reach to Guatemala, Mexico and the US. Despite government crackdowns, their influence remains entrenched. MS-13 and Barrio 18 increasingly invest in legitimate businesses, such as gas stations, bars and hotels, to launder illicit proceeds. Their territorial control is evident in urban centres, with certain neighbourhoods in San Pedro Sula fully under gang dominance. Inside the prison system, they maintain strongholds, with MS-13 reportedly controlling the Tamara national prison and negotiating power-sharing agreements in the El Pozo maximum-security facility. The prison system remains a hub for gang coordination, where inmates possess firearms and conduct illicit transactions. Beyond urban gangs, Honduras hosts influential narco-trafficking organizations deeply embedded in the cocaine trade. These groups collaborate with international cartels, facilitating drug shipments through Central America. The persistence of mafia-style groups underscores the challenges in dismantling their networks, as they continue to adapt and integrate into various sectors.

Loosely structured yet highly effective, criminal networks in Honduras collaborate with both domestic and international actors. They engage in extortion, drug and arms trafficking, human smuggling and fuel smuggling. These networks often coordinate with Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel and other transnational organizations. Honduran criminal networks range from extortion groups like Banda Independiente and El Combo Que No Se Deja to drug trafficking networks such as Los Valle Valle and Los Olanchos. These organizations manage cocaine routes from La Moskitía to Guatemala and engage in contract killings. The adaptability of these networks allows them to exploit weaknesses in law enforcement. Despite targeted operations, they continue to expand into new territories, reinforcing their position in Honduras’s criminal landscape.

At low levels, corrupt officials enable smuggling, illicit border crossings and protection for criminal networks. High-ranking figures, including mayors and congress members, play a more direct role, influencing drug trafficking routes and extortion schemes. In 2024, video evidence surfaced showing drug traffickers meeting with a presidential family member, allegedly offering campaign funding in exchange for political favours. This scandal led to resignations, including the vice president of the national congress and the secretary of defence. The high levels of corruption in the country’s political system are perpetually draining available resources and eroding public trust in state institutions.

Foreign criminal groups have a substantial presence in Honduras, primarily in drug trafficking and human smuggling. Colombian and Mexican cartels play a dominant role, collaborating with local actors to facilitate cocaine and arms trafficking. Although their involvement in illicit fuel smuggling is minimal, they maintain strong influence over transnational trafficking routes. Human trafficking networks involve actors from Honduras, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico and Panama, forming a complex transnational system. These networks coordinate with criminal groups in Panama and El Salvador to smuggle individuals from Asia, Europe and Western Asia to North America. Foreign actors contribute to the consolidation of Honduras as a major transit hub, reinforcing its role in global organized crime.

Honduran financial institutions, including banks, insurance companies and remittance services, are at risk of facilitating money laundering through weak oversight mechanisms. Criminal groups, particularly MS-13, manipulate corporate bank accounts to legitimize illicit profits. The tourism sector, including hotels and bars, is frequently exploited for laundering drug proceeds, while petrol stations are used for both financial and logistical support of criminal enterprises. Organized crime has also infiltrated the transport sector, coercing merchants and transport operators to engage in illicit financial activities. MS-13 uses financial sanctuaries such as El Ocotillo and Colonia San José V to transfer assets to offshore tax havens, further complicating enforcement efforts. Although there is no evidence of an increasing role of private-sector actors in criminal markets, ongoing corruption within financial and business sectors sustains organized crime. The entrenchment of private-sector actors highlights the challenge of combating financial crime and allows organized crime to continue to exploit vulnerabilities in the country's financial and business environment.

Leadership and governance

Honduras’s political leadership has experienced significant shifts, particularly under President Xiomara Castro, who initially committed to institutional reforms prioritizing human rights and combating organized crime. However, the government’s approach has since evolved, emphasizing militarized security measures, including the suspension of constitutional rights under a state of emergency. These policies have failed to significantly reduce gang-related violence, as evidenced by a rise in armed clashes between security forces and gang members. The administration has increasingly distanced itself from civil society, the private sector and international partners, undermining broader policy efforts against organized crime. Furthermore, political interference in security institutions has weakened governance, exacerbated by scandals involving high-ranking officials linked to drug-related activities. The Honduran government’s iron-fist strategy against crime, though extensive, has been criticized for failing to address structural drivers of criminality, such as poverty and corruption. Despite these challenges, political will for reform persists, albeit constrained by entrenched interests and institutional weaknesses.

Corruption is deeply embedded in Honduras’s governance structure, severely undermining transparency and accountability. The controversial appointment of the attorney general, marred by procedural irregularities, reflects broader concerns regarding the politicization of judicial and oversight institutions. Corruption is widely perceived to be pervasive in Honduras, deepening public distrust in political elites. Previous anti-corruption initiatives, including the Mission to Support the Fight Against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras, backed by the Organization of American States, faced political obstruction and eventual dissolution. Although the current administration pledged to establish an international anti-corruption commission, political resistance and legislative inaction have stalled progress. Nepotism remains prevalent, with government-linked individuals implicated in influence peddling and abuse of power. Moreover, underutilization of allocated anti-extortion funds indicates inefficiencies in financial oversight mechanisms. Transparency in governance is further constrained by weak enforcement of right to information laws, which lack effective implementation mechanisms and public accountability provisions.

Honduras has engaged in various international efforts to combat organized crime, including signing multiple UN conventions on human trafficking, drug control and arms smuggling. However, adherence to these commitments has been inconsistent. A significant shift in 2024 was the Honduran government’s revocation of its extradition treaty with the US, citing concerns over national sovereignty. This decision weakens a critical tool in combating transnational drug trafficking. Relations with the US have further deteriorated due to diplomatic tensions, with Honduran authorities targeting US diplomats in media campaigns. Conversely, Honduras has strengthened ties with Venezuela, signalling a shift in international alignments. Despite these challenges, the country remains active in regional anti-crime initiatives, including intelligence-sharing agreements with Guatemala and El Salvador.

Honduras has established legislative frameworks addressing organized crime, including laws on drug trafficking, human smuggling, money laundering and environmental crimes. However, weak enforcement mechanisms and systemic corruption hinder their effectiveness. Recent reforms aimed at strengthening gun control and forest governance demonstrate the government’s intent to address security and environmental concerns, yet their implementation remains inconsistent. Cybercrime legislation remains underdeveloped, with gaps in data protection and digital crime investigation capabilities. Despite legislative progress in certain areas, enforcement remains a primary challenge due to limited institutional capacity and corruption within regulatory bodies.

Criminal justice and security

The Honduran judiciary continues to struggle with inefficiency, political interference and resource constraints. While convictions in human trafficking cases have increased, impunity remains prevalent in other crime sectors, such as arms trafficking. Judicial appointments have been criticized for lacking transparency, further eroding trust in the legal system. The prison system is in crisis, with frequent riots and gang dominance over detention facilities. A high-profile massacre in 2023 underscored the vulnerability of incarcerated populations, particularly women. The government’s response included re-militarization of prison administration, reflecting the broader reliance on security forces for governance. However, these measures have not addressed structural deficiencies within the penal system. Honduras’s law enforcement agencies include specialized units targeting organized crime, yet resource shortages and internal corruption hinder their effectiveness. The dissolution of the anti-gang force and its replacement with a new police unit have not yielded significant improvements, with reports of misconduct among officers. Despite crackdowns on extortion, crime rates remain high, with many arrests failing to result in convictions. Public confidence in law enforcement is low, and militarized policing approaches have raised human rights concerns. Drug interdiction efforts have led to significant seizures, yet overall trafficking activity remains robust due to persistent demand and corruption within enforcement agencies. Honduras’s geographic positioning along major drug and human smuggling routes exacerbates challenges in border security. Remote regions remain outside effective state control, facilitating criminal activity. The Honduras–Guatemala border is particularly vulnerable to illicit crossings, while internal conflicts over land rights contribute to localized violence. State resources for territorial enforcement are limited, with border security efforts frequently undermined by corruption.

Economic and financial environment

Honduras faces substantial challenges in anti-money laundering enforcement due to weak inter-agency coordination, inadequate training and insufficient digitalization of financial oversight. The financial intelligence unit lacks transparency and analytical capacity, limiting its effectiveness. Despite these deficiencies, Honduras maintains cooperation with the US in investigating financial crimes. The repeal of a 2021 law that had weakened anti-money laundering investigations marks a positive development. However, the expansion of synthetic drug markets has exacerbated money laundering risks, with illicit proceeds increasingly flowing through informal financial channels.

Honduras’s economic regulatory framework remains compromised by corruption and inefficiencies. The country’s informal economy facilitates financial crimes, with limited state capacity to monitor monetary flows. Weak enforcement of financial regulations allows criminal organizations to exploit gaps in oversight mechanisms. Despite moderate economic growth, income inequality and poverty persist. Proposed fiscal reforms aimed at improving regulatory oversight remain stalled in the legislature. Environmental concerns, particularly illegal logging and unregulated mining, pose additional regulatory challenges.

Civil society and social protection

Efforts to support crime victims have been inconsistent, with inadequate resources allocated to protection programmes. Shelters for human trafficking survivors operate with limited capacity, and male victims receive little institutional support. The lack of specialized facilities for trafficking victims further hampers rehabilitation efforts. Official witness protection programmes remain minimal, with only basic measures available to ensure anonymity in legal proceedings. Outside the courtroom, long-term protection mechanisms are virtually non-existent, leaving victims vulnerable to reprisals.

Honduras has launched various prevention campaigns targeting human trafficking and counterfeit goods, yet their impact remains limited. Public awareness initiatives have increased, but law enforcement engagement in crime prevention strategies is weak. Though efforts to trace timber exports and combat counterfeit medicines show promise, systemic barriers prevent substantial progress. Broader social challenges, including high poverty and unemployment, contribute to the persistence of criminal markets. Despite targeted prevention programmes, structural conditions sustaining organized crime remain largely unaddressed.

Honduras has a vibrant civil society sector, yet civic space remains constrained. Environmental activists and journalists face high levels of violence and harassment, with media ownership concentrated among political and business elites. Freedom of expression is restricted, particularly for those reporting on corruption or organized crime. Despite challenges, civil society organizations continue to advocate for policy reforms and human rights protections. However, fragmentation and polarization within the sector limit collective impact. International watchdog organizations classify Honduras as having a restricted civic space, reflecting ongoing limitations on civil liberties.