Honduras to build 20,000-inmate ‘megaprison’ as part of gang crackdown

In a bold move to combat escalating organized crime, the Honduran government announced a series of stringent measures, including constructing a 20,000-capacity "megaprison," redefining gang members as "terrorists," and implementing collective trials. President Xiomara Castro, in a late-night televised address, revealed this extensive "plan of solutions against crime" as a response to a national security emergency and increasing public concerns over violence.

Why This Matters: Surrounded by members of the National Defense and Security Council, President Castro outlined the necessity of these actions, citing the country's dire need for enhanced security interventions. She emphasized that the armed forces and police would be deployed to "urgently execute interventions across parts of the country with the highest incidences of gang crimes." These crimes include contract killings, drug and firearm trafficking, extortion, kidnapping, and money laundering.

The ambitious plan to build the "Emergency Reclusion Centre," a new prison designed to house 20,000 inmates, represents a significant expansion of Honduras's current prison capacity. This facility is to be situated in the remote area between the eastern departments of Olancho and Gracias a Dios, addressing both overcrowding and the strategic need to isolate high-risk prisoners.

Further legal reforms are planned to categorize drug traffickers and gang members committing specific crimes as "terrorists," subjecting them to collective trials. This approach aims to streamline the judicial process and deliver swifter justice.

National police chief Hector Gustavo Sanchez announced the distribution of a list containing the names of "intellectual authors, leaders, and gang members" targeted for immediate arrest. The operations will extend to eradicating marijuana and coca leaf plantations, essential components in drug production, and dismantling processing centers for illegal substances.

These comprehensive measures underscore the Honduran government's commitment to restoring order and safety. The initiative reflects the urgent need to tackle the pervasive threat of organized crime and mitigate its impact on society.

Key Takeaways:

• A new 20,000-capacity prison aims to address overcrowding and manage crime.
• Gang members involved in specific crimes will be labeled as "terrorists."
• New legal reforms will enable collective trials for organized crime members.
• Military and police forces to target high-crime areas urgently.
• Authorities will destroy marijuana and coca plantations and drug processing centers.