ConflictBarometer_2016

THE AMERICAS
in PHTK's largest demonstration, thousands of activists gathered
in Port-au-Prince. Clashes ensued, leaving one dead. Activists
demanded the prompt organization of the presidential
elections, which had been delayed past Privert's 90-day-term,
and were finally set for November 20.
PHTK's Jovenel Moïse won the elections, reportedly receiving
55.67 percent of the popular vote. LAPEH, Fanmi Lavalas,
and Pitit Dessalines demanded a recount, accusing the Provisory
Electoral Council of electoral fraud. In consequence,
the National Electoral Litigation Office ordered a reevaluation
of 12 percent of the protocols from all electoral offices.
Fanmi Lavalas organized almost daily protests in Port-au-
Prince throughout late November and December. On November
30, Fanmi Lavalas activists damaged several private cars,
while hurling stones at the police, which responded with tear
gas and water cannon.
In early January, Guy Philippe, prominent figure in the coup
d'état against former president Jean Bertrand Aristide and
former Martelly supporter, launched an appeal to combat
the ''anarchists” of the anti-establishment opposition movements.
On February 5, several dozens of armed individuals
wearing military attire marched through the streets of Portau-Prince,
allegedly in response to Philippe's appeal. A group
of bystanders attacked the protesters, lynching one of them.
On May 16, armed men attacked a police station in Cayes, Sud
department. The incident left at least five people dead and
three injured. Although no one took responsibility for the attack,
one of the arrested attackers accused Philippe of instigating
it. Philippe denied the allegations. osv
HONDURAS (DRUG TRAFFICKING
ORGANIZATIONS, ORGANIZED CRIME)
Intensity: 3 | Change: | Start: 2012
Conflict parties:
drug trafficking organizations, organized
crime vs. government
Conflict items: subnational predominance, resources
The violent crisis over subnational predominance and resources
between drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) and organized
crime groups, on the one hand, and the government,
on the other, continued.
According to the Attorney General's Office, 5,154 people were
killed in 2016. With a rate of 59 per 100,000 inhabitants,
Honduras had the third-highest murder rate in Latin America.
As in the years before, violence committed by DTOs, organized
crime groups, and national security forces had a major
impact on the country's security situation.
An analysis published by a national newspaper on April 4 revealed
the involvement of many high-ranking police officers
in the killing of former drug lord Julián Arístides González in
2009 and one of his former advisers two years later. The same
day, military police raided the National Police's (PNH) station
Casamata in the capital Tegucigalpa, Francisco Morazán department,
in search of evidence for the killings, while President
Juan Orlando Hérnandez demanded the dismissals of
the officers involved in the cases. On April 6, Hernández sent
an emergency decree with a validity of one year to Congress
that would authorize the removal of up to 1,500 police officers.
Legislators passed the proposal the next day. One week
later, the new special commission for police reform was constituted
and issued a first statement. Until the end of September,
the investigations resulted in the removal of over 600
police officers. Furthermore, according to an internal police
investigation, 81 police officers had allegedly worked for organized
crime groups, such as the Mara Salvatrucha.
Throughout the year, police and security forces continued to
fight drug trafficking and organized crime by arresting suspects
and conducting operations. On January 30, forces
of the Directorate for Combating Drug Trafficking (DLCN)
raided ten houses in Morazán, Yoro department, and detained,
among others, José Héctor Ardón Sarmiento and his son, Olvin
Adonay Ardón Rivera, alleged leaders of the AA Brothers Cartel.
On July 9, police officers dismantled a drug laboratory
and arrested six suspects in Siguatepeque, Comayagua department.
Two weeks later, the joint police and military unit
FUSINA blew up a landing strip supposedly used for drug trafficking
in an unpopulated area near Ibans, Baltimore, Gracias a
Dios department. On August 16, security forces found 545.5
kg of marijuana hidden in a truck in La Ceiba, Atlántida department,
and arrested both drivers.
On December 2, several security agencies conducted ''Operation
Tifón III'' in a joint effort to dismantle illicit structures
and organizations involved in smuggling arms and drugs. The
operation consisted of raids in over 70 cities throughout the
country, including private properties, enterprises as well as
administrative institutions such as hospitals. Over 30 suspects
were arrested.
To fight DTOs and organized crime groups more effectively,
Honduran authorities also engaged in joint cross-border operations
throughout 2016. On August 23, the presidents of
Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala signed the ''Regional
Plan Against Transnational Organized Crime'' in San Salvador,
El Salvador [→ El Salvador (Maras); Guatemala (drug cartels)].
The first joint police and military force was launched to combat
gang crime in the Honduran border department Ocotepeque
on November 15. The multinational unit would also
include members of the intelligence agencies, the migration
agency, as well as the customs authorities. One week later,
a Costa Rican operation captured Wilter Neptalí Blanco Ruíz,
alleged drug lord and leader of the Atlantic Cartel, in cooperation
with Honduran and US authorities. rma
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HONDURAS (OPPOSITION)
Intensity: 3 | Change: | Start: 2009
Conflict parties: FNRP, LIBRE, anti-government activists
vs. government
Conflict items:
system/ideology, national power, resources
The conflict over the orientation of the political system, national
power, and resources between oppositional parties,
such as LIBRE, and anti-government groups, on the one hand,
and the government of the National Party (PN), on the other,
remained violent. While opposition parties were primar-