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Context
n March 2025, Honduras held primary elections marked by irregularities, including the late arrival of voting materials, protests in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, and reports of multiple voting incidents. Civil society organizations denounced political violence throughout the electoral process, particularly targeting women in leadership roles.
Violence against women and girls remained widespread. By the end of March, 53 femicides had been recorded, mostly aecting young women aged 18 and 29. Two femicides occurred within 24 hours in Choluteca and El Paraiso—both areas where UNHCR maintains an operational presence.
Delays in approving the Purple Alert Law, aimed at preventing the disappearance of women, triggered nationwide protests and road blockades. The national domestic violence hotline registered over 5,000 calls during the first quarter, resulting in 122 detentions.
According to the Ombudsperson, more than 1,400 women were forcibly displaced by violence in 2024.
Security concerns escalated, with six massacres reported in March alone—bringing the annual total to 12 incidents and 42 victims. In Rivera Hernandez, San Pedro Sula, four individuals were assassinated by armed men dressed in military-style uniforms. Additionally, extortion continued to aect the public transportation sector, with criminal groups reportedly collecting up to USD 2,000,000 monthly.
Land-related conflicts occurred in the Bay Islands and Lempira, meanwhile dialogue has resumed among authorities, the private sector, and rural organizations to address disputes in Bajo Aguán. Concerns about press freedom also persisted, with 75 journalists under state protection. A recent crime index placed Honduras among the three most dangerous countries in the region.