Honduran President Xiomara Castro has announced the creation of a 20,000-capacity “mega-prison” as part of a broader crackdown on gang violence and an overhaul of the troubled prison system. In a televised address, Castro outlined emergency measures to combat organized crime, including bolstering the military’s role and prosecuting drug traffickers as terrorists.
The new prison will be constructed near Olancho in eastern Honduras to ease overcrowding. The current prison system, designed for 13,000 inmates, is housing 19,500. This move mirrors efforts in El Salvador, where President Nayib Bukele built a 40,000-capacity prison to handle mass arrests.
Security forces are set to intervene in areas with high rates of gang violence and drug trafficking. The defense council is also pushing for changes in the penal code to detain suspected gang leaders without charges and conduct mass trials.
Castro’s hard-line stance on security intensified after a surge in narcoviolence in 2022, when she imposed a state of emergency and suspended parts of the constitution. These tactics have faced criticism from human rights groups for potentially overstepping civil liberties.
Despite skepticism about the effectiveness of these measures, the Honduran government reported a 20% decrease in homicides in the first five months of 2024 compared to the same period last year. However, corruption and powerful gangs remain significant challenges.
This announcement reflects Castro’s commitment to combating crime and improving public safety, drawing inspiration from Bukele’s controversial but popular anti-gang strategies in El Salvador.