Effects of War Tax Collection in Honduran Society: Evaluating the Social and Economic Cost.

摘要

The crime of extortion is having negative social and economic impacts and consequently affects public safety in Honduras. The so-called "war tax" has become a plague for many residential areas, as well as for micro and small enterprises, the public passenger transport sector, schools, and even churches. Victims of extortion are at risk of being killed, kidnapped, themselves and placing their families at risk if they do not comply with criminal extortion demands. The research topic arises from a need to determine the effects of the activities of criminal organizations by analyzing the economic and social cost to the country. The objectives are to identify the most vulnerable places where criminals collect this "tax," the social levels most affected, the commercial activities carried out by the victims, the criminal organizations that are involved in this crime, and the measures taken by both the Honduran government and security institutions in order to counter this crime. The study examines the information found in open electronic sources and analyses prepared by professional and governmental security institutions. This research suggests that criminal organizations are obtaining large amounts of money through extortion, which is causing the closure of small and micro enterprises, an environment of insecurity that discourages investment, and increasing internal and external migration of people, among other effects. Finally, the author makes some general recommendations to attack the problem.