The Honduran government has announced that it will impose a partial state of emergency in some sectors of the country beginning on Tuesday, December 6, to stop the incidence of crime and the scourge of extortion.

Tegucigalpa, December 5 (RHC)-- The Honduran government has announced that it will impose a partial state of emergency in some sectors of the country beginning on Tuesday, December 6, to stop the incidence of crime and the scourge of extortion.

According to a statement released by the Press Secretariat, President Xiomara Castro has submitted the measure to a virtual vote in the Council of Ministers, after the National Police analyzes the sectors included.

"The partial state of exception will go into effect on Tuesday for 30 days, to boost the gradual activity of economic development, investment, commerce and security in public spaces," the text highlights.  The declaration of the state of exception is part of the National Plan against Extortion initiated by the Government at the end of November.

According to official data, since then more than a hundred gang members have been captured, 16 gangs dedicated to kidnapping have been dismantled, 259 weapons and thousands of wrappers of marijuana and cocaine have been seized.

In the last two decades, extortion in Honduras has increased. As a result, thousands of businessmen were left in ruins and many of them left the country.  In addition, hundreds of people have been murdered, among them urban transport drivers and cab drivers.

The Honduran cities with the highest rates of extortion are Tegucigalpa, the capital, and northern San Pedro Sula.