At least 20 killed in horrific SPS massacre-what does this mean for travel?

At least 20 people were brutally murdered in a massacre at a shoe-making shop in colonia Valle de Sula, San Pedro Sula:

http://www.laprensa.hn/Sucesos/Ediciones/2010/09/07/Noticias/San-Pedro-Sula-Al-menos-20-muertos-dentro-de-zapateria

What does this mean for travelers to San Pedro Sula or surrounding areas? Will this lead to a new wave of violence in the area?

What steps is the government taking to crack down on violent crime and restore security?

Honduras has been a powder keg of violence and lawlessness for YEARS now. The political instability, increasing presence by the Mara and the disappearance of the once-rising middle class are not helping things at all. This particular massacre is shocking only because of the number killed. But suffice it to say, there are insane levels of killings and shootings all over Honduras and the numbers are going up. The numbers are so bad that the honduran government doesn't even like to give them out. Prospects are not good at all sorry to say.

But as to the question "What does this mean for travelers.....?" the answer is: not much, unless prone to fits of clinical paranoia or thorough immersion in Fox News scaremongering.

Not that there's anything wrong with one or the other.

Mark

Violence has always been one of the major issues of Honduras and neighboring countries (namely Guatemala and El Salvador). San Pedro Sula itself has always had the highest crime rate of Honduras, the runner-up being Tegucigalpa.
As for what the government plans to do, it's hard to say. It would be great if it came up with an efficient plan to reduce crime, but it's never certain and the government itself hasn't exactly been stable.

As for how it affects travelers? Probably not much. However, how is San Pedro Sula being implemented into your travels? If you're just landing there or using it as a base for reaching other parts of Honduras, it shouldn't be a problem. If you actually LIVE there for an extended period of time, the risk would be higher.

This past summer, I used San Pedro Sula in order to visit Cusuco National Park, and to overall have better access to Omoa, Tela, and La Ceiba. I highly enjoyed these places (Cusuco is easily a must), but the city itself is not much of a tourist destination.
In the past, what happens in the largest cities doesn't usually affect the rest of the country (in terms of travel).
I was in Honduras back in 2009 when the country was in political turmoil, but outside of the capital and San Pedro Sula, things were pretty much working as usual.

Should the massacre stop you from visiting SPS? Depends on how you're planning to use SPS. The city itself -- even if it ever drops in crime rate -- has never been a highlight of the country.

Should the massacre stop you from visiting Honduras? No.

Well, coming from someone who was involved in a pretty nasty bus holdup on a bus that left SPS for Ceiba about 4 years ago, let me tell you that the perspective about a particular country changes dramatically after something like that. Before that, I was able to say that the risk to "travelers" wasn't all that bad comparatively speaking to other countries I've been to. Since then, however, and knowing what I know about those countries' ineffective law enforcement, crime prevention and justice systems, I have to say that yeah, there is a SERIOUS increased risk in certain CA countries, particularly Guatemala and Honduras. I can also say that things have gotten significantly worse in Honduras since my experience after hearing other people's accounts and the further decline of the country's general stability. Does it mean that people are in danger if they go there? No. But yeah, there is a dramatically increased risk. Make no mistake about it.

I’ve been traveling through CA and Mexico on and off for 18 years now. Only place I’ve ever been robbed was in the parking lot of Adventura Mall in Florida! Honduras came under the World Press microscope last year with the political coup, but he truth is it has always had more murders per capita than any other country.

I can honestly say it feels safer today than it used to do partially to my own comfort levels and partially due to an increased police presence. I don’t think that because we are hearing of more violence that there necessarily is more.

In my humble opinion, I believe it is as safe to travel in Honduras as it ever was.

Your humble opinion, unfortunately, is not supported by the facts. And if the Honduran government released the REAL numbers regarding violent crime and homicides, as well as violent crime against foreigners, your opinion would be even less supported. You bring up a point that I always find myself responding to regarding safety. Just because something didn't happen to you in a high-risk area does NOT necessarily mean that you are/were safe. It just means you were lucky. Know the difference.

No, maybe it just means that you were unlucky since you're the only one constantly floggin' on your very unfortunate incident that happened years ago. I understand - yes, that would be enough to jade anyone's opinion of a place, but where are any other reports of petty or serious offenses happening against travelers in mainland Honduras?

Anyone that reads through the Honduras threads will see an on-growing wealth of positive evidence about exploring around the mainland - supported by the facts, even off the beaten path. Does this mean that crime is not a problem in SPS and Tegus? No, but there are also numerous posters, including myself, that have actually spent time in these cities, despite higher risks, and managed quite well. Sin embargo...that absolutely does not qualify to label the entire rest of the country high risk!

You are entitled to your incident-based opinion just as everyone else is. Future travelers can weigh the evidence to know the difference. And for anyone with major concerns, by all means - go somewhere else!

No, maybe it just means that you were unlucky since you're the only one constantly floggin' on your very unfortunate incident that happened years ago. I understand - yes, that would be enough to jade anyone's opinion of a place, but where are any other reports of petty or serious offenses happening against travelers in mainland Honduras?

Jose, I'm definitely not the only one "floggin" what happened to me re: crime in Honduras. Ok? Posts regarding crime, if anything, are played down here on TT. This forum is, unfortunately, not always the place to get factual, unbiased information about a country, particularly when it comes to crime. All you have to do is look at the known stats, and go by what you are told and/or read in the local papers. I spent three seasons in Honduras with my boat, and I can tell you I saw things get progressively WORSE each year while I was there. And this INCLUDES in the Bay Islands, where so many people here like to tout it as this paradise untouched by what happens in Mainland Honduras. BS. Thefts, break-ins, violent crime, home invasions, express kidnappings, you name it, it's happening in Honduras at a rapidly increasing rate.

As of now, Honduras wins out as the country where I personally know the most people (most of them non-Honduran) who have been shot and killed than anywhere else in CA that I've been to. So despite what happened to me directly, I'm not jaded. I'm realistic, and I came to know and understand the facts about increased risks.

Anyone that reads through the Honduras threads will see an on-growing wealth of positive evidence about exploring around the mainland - supported by the facts, even off the beaten path. Does this mean that crime is not a problem in SPS and Tegus? No, but there are also numerous posters, including myself, that have actually spent time in these cities, despite higher risks, and managed quite well. Sin embargo...that absolutely does not qualify to label the entire rest of the country high risk!

"Positive threads" about Honduras, which is indeed a beautiful country, is NOT evidence that everything is hunky dory, Jose. Get real. I've been all over Honduras, and even though I only experienced the said bus holdup as well as a serious boat break-in in Utila over three years, I still stayed in Honduras long after and was able to enjoy it. However, the risks that I had been somewhat downplaying before then became much more clear and obvious as I went along. Again, just because posters are not coming out in droves on TT talking about how bad crime is in Honduras does NOT mean that there is not a problem. It sounds to me like you're in a pretty serious denial about the state of things in Honduras for whatever reason. All I can suggest is look at the known stats, and understand that the data if anything, is LOWER than what the real numbers are, due to the police's inability (or unwillingness) to take accurate reports on all the crime that is happening.Geez, it's gotten so bad that after the latest massacre, the government is going to get the ARMY involved. You still think that there's no problem or it's just limited to the cities?? Don't kid yourself.

You are entitled to your incident-based opinion just as everyone else is. Future travelers can weigh the evidence to know the difference. And for anyone with major concerns, by all means - go somewhere else!

Gee, I'm entitled? Thanks Jose. I'm entitled, so very generous of you. :P

I've also earned the right to express my opinion as well as cite facts and data supporting my assertions. Here are some:

• Honduras' "known' homicide rate is on the average more than FIVE TIMES that of New York City, whose population is larger than Honduras' entire national population.

• They have the HIGHEST murder rate in Central America.

• Their crime apprehension and conviction rate is among the lowest of any democratic state in the world.

Another educated opinion: The drug trafficking and pervasive gang activity only exacerbate the other factors, such as poverty, low wages, class resentment, etc. There is NOTHING in the future showing that any of these factors will change. If anything, they will continue to get worse as things deteriorate. Political instability instigated by the oligarchy to preserve their wealth and power, will only continue to make Honduras unstable, and yes, a higher risk for travelers. Deal with it.