A police operation in Valle, Honduras, resulted in a deadly shootout on Friday, , leaving one alleged gang member dead and another individual in custody, according to a statement released by the National Police of Honduras.
The confrontation occurred in the village of La Laguneta, Coray municipality, during an operation conducted by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DPI) in conjunction with the National Directorate of Prevention and Community Security (DNPSC). The operation was part of ongoing efforts to track down members of a criminal organization, police stated.
According to the official police report, officers were pursuing a woman and a man when the latter opened fire. “Upon noticing the police presence, the individual began shooting at the police officers,” the statement read. Responding to the attack, officers returned fire, resulting in the death of José Reynaldo Castro Jiménez, also known as ‘Rey’, a resident of Las Uvas, Nacaome, Valle.
The woman involved in the pursuit was apprehended and has been turned over to the relevant authorities for further legal proceedings. Police recovered firearms, including prohibited weapons and suspected narcotics at the scene, which have been submitted for technical and scientific analysis.
The incident underscores the ongoing challenges facing Honduras in its efforts to combat gang violence and drug trafficking. While violence has reportedly decreased during the administration of President Xiomara Castro, questions remain about whether security has genuinely improved across the country.
Honduras has been grappling with a severe crime crisis for years, prompting increasingly assertive responses from the government. In late 2024, the country implemented an “iron fist” policy, deploying police to the streets and resulting in the seizure of hundreds of weapons and numerous arrests, , according to Reuters. However, this approach has also drawn criticism, with concerns raised about potential abuses of power and the creation of a system of impunity for law enforcement.
An emergency declaration, first implemented in , has been repeatedly extended – at least 17 times as of – granting expanded powers to the military and police while suspending certain constitutional rights. Critics argue that this state of exception has, in some instances, facilitated corruption and allowed police to operate outside the bounds of the law. A report by Al Jazeera detailed allegations that evidence, including weapons and cocaine, has disappeared from official records following police operations, with a Honduran prosecutor suggesting the possibility of resale on the black market.
Recent incidents, including a confrontation investigated by DLCN in Tegucigalpa in , and a separate shooting on , highlight the volatile security situation. The January incident, reported by YouTube news sources, involved an exchange of fire between suspected gang members and police, resulting in one fatality.
The Ministry Public is now leading the investigation into the latest shooting in Valle, seeking to determine responsibility and gather further details about the incident. The police statement indicated that the scene was secured according to protocol, and evidence collected will be used in the ongoing investigation.
The continued violence and allegations of misconduct raise serious questions about the long-term effectiveness of Honduras’s security strategies. While the government maintains its commitment to combating crime, the need for accountability and respect for due process remains paramount.
