According to anecdotal evidence from service providers in Honduras, organized criminal groups are exploiting the gap in protection services for migrant women. One provider said: “Before, criminal groups held back because we were there—now, no one’s watching. They take women as soon as they cross, force them into prostitution in the capital for a week, and once they meet their quota, the next group arrives—mostly Venezuelan women.”

Date: 7/25

Region: Latin America & Caribbean

Country: Honduras

Topic: Gender Equality & Inclusion, Refugees & Displacement

Policy Lens: Migration & Mobility

Entry Type: Field Observation

Additional Context: The authors of this report note that this phenomenon is not unique to Honduras, also having been documented in Costa Rica. The gaps in services create windows of opportunities for established criminal groups.

This Women's Refugee Commission's report analyzes the effects of U.S. foreign assistance cuts, gender-based violence programming, and migration in Honduras. The authors conducted a desk review of secondary sources, and conducted fieldwork in Honduras between April and May 2025. A total of 25 interviews were conducted with representatives from organizations working on gender-based violence and migration issues across the country.

Source: Women's Refugee Commission