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Honduras Could Lay off 4,000 Police Officers With Suspected Links to Cartels and Organized Crime

Honduras May Fire 4,000 Police Officers With Possible Ties to Drug Cartels and Organized Crime

A soldier and a police officer take away a supporter of ousted Honduras' President Manuel Zelaya in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Thursday, July 2, 2009. (AP Photo/Diario La Prensa de San Pedro Sula)

Honduras Congressman Augusto Cruz Asensio announced yesterday that more than 4,000 police officers in Honduras will be fired because of their “illicit activities” and alleged ties to organized crime, drug cartels or Mexican gangs, Honduras Weekly reports.

“What we are looking to do is clean up the institution and give it credibility again so that the population can have confidence in the National Police,” Cruz said.

Cruz said the funds allotted for the 4,000 police officers would be used to hire and train replacement officers, according to Honduras Weekly.

The mass firings would be a dramatic step to combat police corruption by the Honduran government. It could also be a possible indicator of just how deeply some institutions have been infiltrated by drug cartels and organized crime groups.

Honduras has been plagued for some time by multiple corruption scandals at various levels of their government.

Last week Honduras’ police chief, Ricardo Ramirez del Cid, was fired after just six months on the job over possible police involvement in the killing of a well-known Honduran journalist, Alfredo Villatoro, according to The Associated Press.

Ramirez was appointed during a previous scandal where the National Police were suspected of being involved in the killing of the son of the head of Honduras’ National Autonomous University.

Honduras May Fire 4,000 Police Officers With Possible Ties to Drug Cartels and Organized Crime

Juan Carlos Bonilla Valladares, known as “El Tigre” or “The Tiger,” speaks to the press after he was sworn-in as police chief in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Tuesday, May 22, 2012. (AP Photo/Fernando Antonio)

Juan Carlos Bonilla Valladares, also known as “El Tigre” or “The Tiger,” is the newest police chief. The Honduras Weekly report does not specify whether he had any part in the firings. However, Bonilla has some baggage of his own.

According to a 2007 U.S. State Department report on human rights, Bonilla was suspected but never charged in a series of killings while serving as Honduras’ jails inspector, The AP reports.

Additionally, the move could mean an expanded role for the country’s military force. The Honduras Weekly report explains the implications of the diminished police force:

The National Police currently employs a total of 14,087 members, including 846 officials, 11,897 regular police, and 1,344 auxiliary police — meaning that if the planned firings are carried out, the institution will lose 28 percent of it current force. This suggests that, during the interim period in which the government is hiring and training new officers, Honduras will continue to rely heavily on its armed forces for many policing functions.

Over the past few months, Honduran soldiers have increasingly been performing activities normally assigned to police officers. This new role for the military was seen as a temporary measure designed to provide additional security, given the rising wave of crime in the country. It now appears that the military’s presence on Honduran streets could be extended indefinitely… at least until the National Police is back to full strength. This may take months, if not longer.

Honduras is not only battling police corruption, the country also holds the title of murder capital of the world. Some experts believe the two problems to be directly connected. According to this AFP report, the country’s per-capita murder rate in 2010 – 82.1 murders per 100,000 inhabitants – is ten times the national average:

Comments (27)

  • Poolshark
    Posted on June 4, 2012 at 4:45pm

    This is good news. I can personally testify that many police are corrupt. We were stopped twice in Comoyaguela and we had to bribe them to let us go. They made up excuses like ‘you made an illegal left turn’, when we hadn’t made any turn at all. $5 was a small price for our freedom. It does concern me that what are they going to do with them? Also, they will need to pay the new and remaining officers regularly, on time, and enough to feed their families to keep them honest. Honduras has a problem with the disfunctional payroll system of both the teachers and police. That needs to be fixed as well.

    Report Post » Poolshark  
  • Beachbaby
    Posted on June 1, 2012 at 8:22pm

    I travel and that country is my favorite so far. Thanks for not kidnapping and shooting me. Their people are awesome.

    Report Post »  
  • moussiagilda
    Posted on May 31, 2012 at 10:31pm

    I’m softened up most of the other moderators here, or the opposite, snicker-huff-chortle-wheeze. I wrote something Great on this thread, I feel uncertainly. Post it.

    Report Post »  
  • moussiagilda
    Posted on May 31, 2012 at 10:21pm

    All honor and praise to the Lord. And to you too, and throw me in, buddies.

    Make this life all honor and praise.

    Report Post »  
  • Passerby
    Posted on May 31, 2012 at 10:21pm

    Not long ago, they gave the government an ultimatum to leave them alone or they would go into the schools and execute the children.

    They’re here too, by the way. That’s their business being here just as much as there. Out of business if they can’t do that.

    Report Post » Passerby  
  • Dano.50
    Posted on May 31, 2012 at 10:02pm

    I lived in the Honduras for 9 months 2010 to 2011, and KNOW what happened. A friend of mine personally knows the General who gave Zelaya the boot.

    Honduras has been so corrupt they put in the constitution, ONE term as prez and that’s all. Zelaya wanted to disobey their constitution so the government got the courts to get the warrent to oust him, the General and the army obeyed and backed said constitution, and they were going to shoot Zelaya.

    But Odumba and Clinton beaked off so everybody decided to just exile Zelaya so “world opinion” wouldn’t paint them as a military coup.

    Zelaya then went to Hugo Chavez and they made a deal with the drug lords to errorize the country via murder and kidnapping, and when Zelaya “returns” stop so he looks like a hero. In return, under Zelaya the drug lords would have free run of the country.

    So thank Odumba and Hillary and any other jerk who ran down the Houndurans attempt at legitimate dem.

    I have never wished anybody ill before, but I hope Chavez never recovers, I hope someone “takes care” of Zelaya his filth, and I hope anybody who’s ever supported these increadibly evil people, Penn, Glover and all their ilk, pay as well.

    And please say prayers for the Honduran people. I have been unable to contact any of my friends there, a large number of whom are Canadian and American.

    Report Post »  
    • CrawfishFestival2
      Posted on June 1, 2012 at 2:48am

      We had a family friend in Honduras – at the time that Zelaya was ousted. He said that the electricity was turned off – (to prevent riots, etc) – and when the lights came back on – the next morning – to most everyone’s surprise – the tv and radio stations were announcing the “ousting” of Radical Leftist Manuel Zelaya – by the Honduran military.

      *
      That is when Obama started his bullshyt – LYING to the world – that it was a “coup” – trying to force the people of Honduras to re-instate Zelaya –
      while Obama was FULLY AWARE Zelaya had been removed from office – through a court order.

      Obama then threatened the people of Honduras – to cut off all humanitarian aid – if they did not re-instate Zelaya.
      The people of Honduras – took to the airwaves – to inform Obama that it was not a “coup”. When Obama continued his LYING BULLSHYT – to deceive the American people and the world – about what Obama was demanding, the people of Honduras got on the public airwaves again – and stated that if the President of the United States was protective of Radical Leftist Manuel Zelaya – than Barack Obama as POTUS must be a Radical Leftist himself.

      People of Honduras EXPOSED Radical Leftist Manuel Zelaya and his drug trafficking schemes – allowing Honduras – to be used as a re-fueling depot for worldwide drug trafficking – into The USA.

      Considering Eric Holder as US AG and Obama’s White House – arming Illegal Aliens and NARCO-TERRORISTS with weapons from their Operation Fast and

      Report Post »  
    • CrawfishFestival2
      Posted on June 1, 2012 at 2:56am

      Thanks for the information, Dano!

      Also, Hillary Clinton went down to Honduras – to deliver a message – and a THREAT from Obama – to the Honduran Judiciary = either “change” their court ruling to have Zelaya re-instated – or face having their Business VISAs to the USA permanently revoked.

      The people of Honduras were steadfast – along with the Honduran Judiciary – to not re-instate Zelaya – even with the Tragic assassination of the nephew – of the interim President – Roberto Micheletti.

      The people of Honduras – let it be known how Radical Leftist Manuel Zelaya had come into power – as President of Honduras – through a COUP = a Hostile Government takeover – financed by Venezuela’s Dictator Hugo Chavez.

      The people of Honduras also stated over the public airwaves – that if Obama was protective of Radical Leftist Manuel Zelaya – Obama MUST be a Radical Leftist himself – and the people of America should count on having to remove Obama from office – just like the people of Honduras had to remove Zelaya.

      Report Post »  
    • Poolshark
      Posted on June 4, 2012 at 4:18pm

      I have long suspected that they exiled him because people were going to shoot him. It is my belief that the men they sent to arrest him were his former friends and were trying to ‘save’ him. It is a small country and many of the leaders grew up together and certainly served in lesser offices together in earlier stages of their political careers, particularly Zelaya and Micheletti.

      A lot of commenters on a lot of blogs just don‘t ’get‘ the part about Honduras only allowing one term for president in it’s constitution. You are right about that.

      Report Post » Poolshark  
    • Poolshark
      Posted on June 4, 2012 at 4:23pm

      to Crawfish… LYING to the world – that it was a “coup” – trying to force the people of Honduras to re-instate Zelaya –while Obama was FULLY AWARE Zelaya had been removed from office – through a court order.
      Amen. It took the Congressional Research Service, Jim De Mint and LLeana Ros-Lehtinen to straighten him out.

      Report Post » Poolshark  
    • Poolshark
      Posted on June 4, 2012 at 4:30pm

      again to crawfish….’financed by Venezuela’s Dictator Hugo Chavez’ Right again. Both his original election and his referendum efforts were financed by drug Czar Chavez.. A lot of bloggers are trying to say that the drug smuggling began AFTER Zelaya was deposed, nah…..And Hillary, she had a case of the ‘Bad Boy Blues’, until she realized he was even more embarrassing than Bill.

      Report Post » Poolshark  
  • TIME_2_END_THE_GOP_IN_12
    Posted on May 31, 2012 at 9:57pm

    We are going to need some experienced police officers to enforce the laws the Republicans passed for Prez to sign like the……….
    Indefinite Military Detention Provisions
    National Defense Authorization Act
    Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act
    Federal Aviation Administration Act
    Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act
    Patriot Act
    TSA

    Going to need more than 4000 thou. Maybe Allen West know a few good men?

    Report Post » TIME_2_END_THE_GOP_IN_12  
    • CrawfishFestival2
      Posted on June 1, 2012 at 3:02am

      hey Fool – the democratic party got a good vote-whipping for 2010 midterm elections. I see you are still in DE-NI-AL.

      2012 elections will almost abolish the “Democratic” Party – in spite of yr graveyard voters – being bused into the election polls – and Holder and Obama “colluding” with Estelle Rogers of Project VOTE, a project of ACORN – to file Lawsuits against States passing Voter ID Laws and States seeking approval to purge their voter rolls of deceased people.

      Now what political party is SO DESPERATE – they need DEAD people to remain on the voter rolls?

      Report Post »  
    • TIME_2_END_THE_GOP_IN_12
      Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:43am

      CrawfishFestival2
      What does all of that have to do with republican passing these bills? I thought Republicans were for the constitution and smaller government. Maybe you could explain this to me. Being the fool I am please keep your explanation simple. You may want to read the 1st 10 amendments to the constitution thou.

      Report Post » TIME_2_END_THE_GOP_IN_12  
  • TRONINTHEMORNING
    Posted on May 31, 2012 at 9:42pm

    Proof-reading is in dire need here.

    Report Post »  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on May 31, 2012 at 9:42pm

    We shall see how long this lasts until the corruption spreads once again or that the cartels commence the usual ‘shut up, take the bribe or say goodbye to your family’ business of persuasion.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • WISEPENNY
    Posted on May 31, 2012 at 9:38pm

    Sounds like a perfect opportunity for the cartel to pick up some more personnel for their growing organization. Geeze, if they‘re dirty cops don’t just lay them off and turn them loose. Throw an outdoor awards banquet for them, by formal invitation of course, then when they all show up for the celebration, DRONE ‘EM!

    Report Post »  
    • Jedrin
      Posted on May 31, 2012 at 9:59pm

      If the results of the exact same policy in Mexico are any indicator I would bet a lot of money that this is not going to end well. Better legalize the drugs, like Colombia is doing after the disaster and destruction the same war on drugs policy had there.

      Report Post »  
    • Poolshark
      Posted on June 4, 2012 at 4:34pm

      This also concerns me. There isn’t enought room to lock up 4,000 more people in Honduras jails. What ARE they going to do with them?

      Report Post » Poolshark  
  • KidCharlemagne
    Posted on May 31, 2012 at 9:32pm

    Prohibition always has (always will be) been a natural passageway to corruption:

    —————————————————————–
    “Foreseeing future corruption in the law enforcement agencies as a result of the Volstead Act, future New York Mayor Fiorello La Guardia commented that, “it would take a police force of 250,000 to enforce the Prohibition Act and another 200,000 to police the police.”
    —————————————————————–

    Prohibition enriches organized crime by providing it with an opportunity that didn’t exist before; as a result it is able to grossly outbid the taxpayer for the services of law enforcement.

    Times certainly change……….however, the laws of economics never do…

    Report Post »  
  • Individualism
    Posted on May 31, 2012 at 9:27pm

    yay i love hearing when thugs get laid off

    Report Post » Individualism  
  • FreedomPurveyor
    Posted on May 31, 2012 at 9:26pm

    “HONDURAS COULD LAY OF 4,000 POLICE OFFICERS WITH SUSPECTED LINKS TO CARTELS AND ORGANIZED CRIME”

    Please read, then fix. I so much want to take this website seriously, and it is so hard when there are so many blatant mistakes.

    Report Post » FreedomPurveyor  
  • AUsername
    Posted on May 31, 2012 at 9:23pm

    plenty of more pigs to lay off that are not needed all over the world.

    Report Post » AUsername  
    • CrawfishFestival2
      Posted on June 1, 2012 at 3:08am

      Completely DISMANTLE The UNITED NATIONS!!!!

      a bunch of Dictators – sucking on the tit of America.

      Report Post »  
  • Laus Deo
    Posted on May 31, 2012 at 9:22pm

    Fix it, damn it.

    Report Post » Laus Deo  

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