Canadian group in Honduras trapped after border closes
Under curfew in dangerous area of capital
A group of 12 Canadians is trapped in the crime-ridden capital of Honduras after a government lockdown closed all borders and stopped internal transportation because of coronavirus fears.
The group of Ontario friends even arranged to pay for a private plane to rescue them, but it couldn’t land without a permit to breach the Honduran border shutdown and a permit couldn’t be issued without the Canadian government asking for it, Phil Smardenka, of Wasaga Beach, about 145 kilometres northwest of Toronto, told the National Post by phone from Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras.
The Canadian embassy couldn’t arrange it, he said.
When the group learned of Canadian repatriation flights departing Tuesday from Roatán, a popular Honduran tourist island in the Caribbean, they tried to hire a helicopter to take them there to meet the departing flight, but that also required special permission while the country is under a travel curfew.
“No one would take us without help from the Canadian government to get us a permit to travel,” Smardenka said.
“Safety is the number one concern. It’s not like it’s even costing the Canadian government anything. We were paying for a private plane to get us out of here. We spent time arranging a private plane but they won’t come without a permit to be able to land at the airport.”
The plane would have cost the group more than $114,000.
“We just want to get out of here. In the best of times, where we are is not a safe place for Canadians.
“There is now a travel ban, water shortages and a curfew is in place.”
The group travelled to Honduras for a friend’s birthday party. They arrived over various times, some weeks ago, some just a few days ago.
At the time, Honduras had no cases of COVID-19 and the alarming prognosis of what might come wasn’t on their radar, Smardenka said. Many left while Ontario Premier Doug Ford was still encouraging people to: “Go away, have a good time, enjoy yourselves.”
That stance changed rapidly and by Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told Canadians: “Let me be clear. If you’re abroad, it’s time for you to come home.”
Smardenka and his friends, who live across the Greater Toronto Area, are all in on that idea, if only they could. The group is staying in their host’s family residence and felt safe under normal circumstances, Smardenka said.
“So we’re in a secure place for the time being. But it’s a pretty unstable country and as of last night everything went under a curfew and the borders are being locked down tight.”
The group’s stay in Honduras
was wrapping up. Some were scheduled to leave on Monday and Tuesday.
On Sunday evening, however, Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández gave an address to the nation announcing the country’s borders — air, land and sea — would be closed to all passenger traffic.
Three cases of COVID-19 had been detected in the country. The government issued a red alert to slow or prevent the spread of the coronavirus by harsh restrictions, suspending constitutional rights and imposing a national curfew.
By Monday, the COVID caseload in Honduras had climbed to six and the restrictions became even tighter, with government and private-sector workers sent home and domestic travel halted.
“I don’t even know what anyone can do now. We had every opportunity yesterday (to leave), we had transportation; I don’t understand why they weren’t willing to help,” Smardenka said.
Their attention has switched to what to do if they have to hunker down for a long stay, he said.
“The Honduran government has now issued a complete curfew in the city. No travel permitted at all. We are working on securing food and supplies to prepare for an extended stay, if possible. Doesn’t look good,” he said in a later email to the Post.
By late afternoon Tuesday, there was new hope.
The embassy told them there are 30 other Canadians also in the Tegucigalpa area and Canada is trying to arrange a charter flight in conjunction with the United States, which also has citizens stranded in the area, Smardenka said.
Global Affairs Canada, the Canadian government department responsible for diplomatic relations and consular support to Canadians abroad, did not respond to an urgent request for information prior to deadline.
Messages left for the Honduran government and the Honduran embassy in Ottawa were not returned prior to deadline.
Honduras has the fifth-highest murder rate in the world, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
Much of that is based in its urban cores, including Tegucigalpa.
Outside the tourist islands, the government of Canada’s travel advisory for Honduras isn’t good at the best of times.
It states: “Exercise a high degree of caution in Honduras due to crime.”
I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHAT ANYONE CAN DO NOW. WE HAD EVERY OPPORTUNITY YESTERDAY (TO LEAVE).