Honduran President Xiomara Castro has unveiled plans for a new 20,000-capacity “megaprison” in a bid to tackle gang violence and reform the country’s struggling prison system. The move comes amidst a rise in crime in the nation of 10 million, with Castro also announcing measures to strengthen the military’s role in combating organized crime and prosecute drug traffickers as terrorists.
The creation of the “megaprison” echoes similar efforts by President Nayib Bukele in neighboring El Salvador, who built a 40,000-capacity facility to address rising crime rates. The Honduran government plans to send dangerous gang members to the new prison near the province of Olancho in the east of the country, as existing facilities are overcrowded.
While these measures have led to a decrease in homicides in Honduras, critics remain skeptical of Castro’s tough stance on crime. The president’s approach, inspired by Bukele’s controversial methods, has drawn criticism from human rights groups, but with a reduction in crime rates, the public is eager to see results.