Honduras Prison Riot: 41 Women Shot, Stabbed, Burned To Death

A riot at a women’s prison in Honduras on Tuesday, June 20, killed at least 41 women. In the riot, 26 women were burned to death, remaining succumbed to death after being shot. According to authorities, the violence erupted due to gang activity. 

The spokesperson for Honduras’ national police investigation agency Yuri Mora confirmed the gruesome event and said that the fatal casualties took place at the prison in Tamara, about 50 kilometers northwest of the Honduran capital of Tegucigalpa. Honduras is a country in Central America country and home to several important Mesoamerican monuments.

Reportedly, seven inmates were rushed to Tegucigalpa Hospital for gunshot and knife wounds. The reason is said to be a reaction of inmates to the crackdown of authorities on illegal activities in prisons. In a televised address, the head of the country's prison system, Julissa Villanueva said, "We are taking against organised crime", and Tuesday's riot started as a reaction to the recent attempts by authorities to crack down on illicit activity inside prisons. Further added, “We will not back down."

President On Honduras Prison Riot

The country’s president also blamed mara street gangs, who are known for executing violent activities inside prison. Honduran President Xiomara Castro tweeted, "Conmocionada monstruoso asesinato de mujeres en CEFAS, planificado por maras a vista y paciencia de autoridades de seguridad. Mi solidaridad con familiares. Convoco a rendir cuentas al Ministro de Seguridad y la presidenta de la Comisión Interventora. ¡Tomaré medidas drásticas!"

It translates as Shocked by the cold murders of women in CEFAS, planned by gangs in full view of security authorities. My solidarity with the family. I am going to take drastic measures! 

The gangs hold strong control inside the prisons and prisoners have their own set of rules, which also include carrying out illegal activities. This is not the first violent event in the prison. Earlier in 2017, a female detention center in Guatemala witnessed a similar tragedy, where 41 girls were killed in the overcrowded institution. Girls at the center set fire to protest rapes and other mistreatment at the center. In 2012 at the Comayagua penitentiary 361 inmates reportedly died in a fire, the Tuesday riot is considered the deadliest since the Comayagua incident. 

According to an ANI report, the MS-13 and 18th Street gangs are said to be responsible for the riot. Barrio 18 reportedly incited violence in Honduras. Prisoners claimed of Barrio 18 or Mara 18 gang members burst into a cell block of other inmates and set them on fire. 

Barrio 18 is a multi-ethnic (largely Central American and Mexican) criminal organisation that started as a street gang in Los Angeles. Earlier, Human Rights Watch 2021 report on Honduras claimed of prisons being overcrowded, have inadequate nutrition and poor sanitation, and had the constant occurrence of intra-gang violence and murders of inmates. 

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