Commercial Vehicles and Highway Security

The hijacking of commercial trucks in Honduras has been on the increase for several years, affecting vehicles on intercity highways and urban streets alike. It is believed that well-organized criminal elements are behind this activity. Most high value attacks target foreign-owned trucks traveling the major two-lane highway (CA-5) that transects the country from Choluteca in the southwest near the Pacific coast to Puerto Cortes in the north on the Caribbean coast. This same highway passes through the capital of Tegucigalpa and the commercial center of San Pedro Sula. (Note: The threat described here is primarily to commercial carriers, not privately-owned vehicles [POVs]. The threat to POVs is addressed in the vehicle security briefing paper.)

The majority of truck hijackings take place on long, remote upgrades (and some downgrades) between Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula on one of six high-risk hills favored by gunmen (see below for precise locations). The typical scenario involves two pickup-style trucks carrying several armed men in the back. Sometimes only one truck with anywhere from five to seven armed men is used, but in all cases men carrying AK-47s or other shoulder weapons signal the driver of the target vehicle to pull over or be shot.

Attackers frequently rely on tips from drivers or other individuals working on the inside of targeted companies. (Note: The widespread practice of subcontracting to third-party cargo carriers increases vulnerability by relying on questionable drivers and other personnel.) Some hostiles surveil restaurants and other stops used by drivers.

To counter the threat, companies are reducing or eliminating night trips, employing armed escort vehicles or armed guards riding "shotgun," and banning the use of truck stops. However, some drivers do not follow instructions, thereby placing both themselves and the cargo they are transporting at risk.

While a high percentage of hijackings take place on the above highway, other routes are considered equally risky - if not more so. Some commercial traffic en route to Guatemala is hijacked on a section of the alternate Pan American Highway (CA-4) running from San Pedro Sula to Guatemala - in particular on the long downgrade just west of Santa Rosa de Copán on the way to Ocotepeque near the border. The 52 kilometers of flat divided highway leading from San Pedro Sula to Puerto Cortes is considered so high-risk that most textile and other producers in the area move shipments in armed convoys precisely timed to arrive within six hours of ship loading, which occurs four days a week. (A secondary objective is to minimize exposure to internal theft within the controlled port facility, which does not allow private security inside.)

Accurate data on hijackings is difficult to obtain because (a) some firms are understandably reluctant to have their robberies publicized, and (b) reporting by authorities is spotty and inadequate. Hijackers operate mostly in remote areas where they can easily spot police, and have ready access to networks of both witting and unwitting sources, including shipping company personnel, roadside vendors, and truck stop and restaurant staff.

Given these conditions, it is crucial to control the flow of information about shipments. The use of a first-rate security firm - not simply to provide escort guards, but also for planning and advice - is important. There are a few reputable security companies in Honduras that can provide armed guards, vehicle escorts and a number of other security-related services necessary to counter commercial hijacking.

High-Risk Areas