Honduras Imposes 15-Day Curfew Following Attacks That Killed More Than 20

The Honduras government implemented curfew in two northern cities in response to a surge in violence. The decision came after a tragic series of attacks overnight, resulting in the tragic deaths of 22 individuals, VOA News noted.

President Xiomara Castro took to Twitter to announce a 15-day curfew in Choloma, effective from 9 pm to 4 am, starting immediately.

Additionally, another curfew will be enforced in San Pedro Sula, commencing on July 4. These measures are aimed at curbing the escalating violence and ensuring the safety of the residents.

President Castro further stated that the government is taking decisive action, initiating multiple operations, raids, captures, and checkpoints to address the situation.

To bring the perpetrators to justice, the government is offering a cash reward of $32,707 to individuals who provide information leading to identifying and capturing those responsible for the killings in Choloma.

Honduras has grappled with violent gang activities, prompting a partial emergency in certain areas since December. These measures are part of an ongoing effort to confront and tackle the country's criminal violence issue.

Honduras Overnight Violence

A tragic incident unfolded on Saturday night when a group of heavily armed men carried out a devastating attack at a billiards hall in a neighborhood of Choloma, a manufacturing city in northern Honduras.

The assailants opened fire, resulting in the loss of 13 lives and leaving one individual seriously injured, according to information provided by police spokesperson Edgardo Barahona to Reuters.

He also said that 11 more people had been killed on Saturday in various locations in the northern Valle de Sula zone, including the commercial center of San Pedro Sulay.

In response to the escalating violence, Security Minister Gustavo Sanchez announced on Sunday that the government intends to submit a proposal to Congress in the coming days.

This proposal seeks to classify members of criminal structures, maras, or gangs as terrorists, aiming to address the issue with a more robust legal framework and provide enhanced tools for law enforcement agencies to combat such groups.

Furthermore, Minister Sanchez, during a press conference, stated that additional measures are being taken to reinforce security in the Sula Valley, where both Choloma and San Pedro Sula are situated.

As part of these efforts, 1,000 additional police and military personnel are being deployed to the region.

Multiple Murders and a Deadly Prison Riot Happened Before the Honduras Massacre

The recent massacre in Choloma followed another tragic incident that occurred in the city of San Pedro Sula, AP reports.

Three individuals were killed in a bakery on Thursday, including Ericka Julissa Bandy García, the wife of an alleged associate of former President Juan Orlando Hernández.

The former president is currently detained in the United States, awaiting trial on charges related to drug trafficking.

Additionally, a distressing event took place in central Honduras, where members of the Barrio 18 gang brutally killed 46 inmates in a women's prison located in Tamara, north of Tegucigalpa.

In response to these horrific incidents, Honduras President Xiomara Castro has announced measures to regain control of the prisons and prevent the entry of weapons and drugs into the facilities to address the underlying issues and enhance security measures within the prison system.

President Castro, expressing her concern for the cities of San Pedro Sula and Choloma, stated that she had implemented measures to ensure the safety of the residents in the face of ruthless terrorist attacks.

She emphasized that these attacks are orchestrated by hired criminals trained and directed by drug lords operating with impunity within the drug corridor of the Sula Valley.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Honduras prison riot leaves 41 women dead | The World - From ABC News (Australia)