Human smuggling

Honduran Smugglers Taking Advantage of Trump Victory: US Embassy

The United States' Embassy in Honduras has warned of an increase in the demand for Honduran "coyotes" to smuggle people into the United States, a sign that President-elect Donald Trump's electoral victory is already influencing the region's criminal dynamics.

In a November 17 press release, the embassy cited "recent reports" of coyotes "using the results of United States presidential election as a ruse to lure Hondurans into giving them money to travel illegally to the United States."

While the embassy did not specify which media reports it was referring to, La Prensa has reported an increase in the demand for smuggling services as a direct impact of Trump's election on November 8. 

The embassy warned of the dangers associated with the services provided by human smugglers, stating that "these criminals will lie to take your money and will abandon you at the first hint of danger." The press release illustrated this by mentioning the 11 Honduran nationals who died last week while crossing through Mexico.