The United States Embassy in Honduras issued a security alert warning of potential mass shooting threats targeting three locations in the capital, Tegucigalpa. The alert, based on information reportedly received from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), identified Elliot Dover Christian School, the Government Civic Center (Centro Cívico Gubernamental), and an unnamed shopping mall as possible targets. The threats were said to be planned for yesterday, May 6, and again on May 16, prompting heightened security measures across the city.
Honduran police have responded quickly, implementing special surveillance operations, including vehicle checks and increased patrols at the specified locations. Police spokesperson Miguel Martínez Madrid confirmed that no incidents had been reported as of Tuesday evening, May 6, but authorities remain vigilant. Juan Manuel Godoy, director of the Honduran National Police, emphasized the seriousness of the alert, noting that it indicates a credible risk requiring immediate action.
The Honduran government, through Foreign Minister Enrique Reina, expressed concern over the potential for the threats to sow fear, particularly in an election year. Honduras is scheduled to hold general elections in November 2025, and Reina suggested the timing of the threats could be an attempt to destabilize public confidence. Authorities are investigating the credibility of the information, with Reina stating that it is being handled responsibly to ensure public safety.
The U.S. Embassy advised American citizens to avoid the named locations and instructed its personnel to do the same. Spanish-language outlets, such as Radio América and Última Hora, echoed the embassy’s warning, urging residents to exercise caution. Social media posts also noted the alert, with some accounts emphasizing the need for heightened awareness in Tegucigalpa.
While no specific details about the source of the threats have been disclosed, the embassy’s cooperation with Honduran police stresses the gravity of the situation. The lack of reported incidents so far offers some reassurance, but the reinforced security measures reflect ongoing concerns about violent crime in Honduras, a persistent challenge in the country.
On May 7, 2025, Honduran authorities stepped up security around a school, the presidential palace, and other sites in Tegucigalpa following the warning from the U.S. embassy of a mass shooting threat. The U.S. Embassy often alerts American citizens about the risks from criminal violence in the country, part of Central America’s gang-plagued “triangle of death” along with neighbors El Salvador and Guatemala. But the latest alert left many in Honduras perplexed.
While the country is no stranger to tit-for-tat killings between rival gangs and drug traffickers, it has no recent history of mass shootings or bomb attacks. The embassy said it had received information about a potential mass shooting threat on May 6 and again on May 16 in Tegucigalpa. It cited the private school, the area housing government buildings, and an unidentified mall as possible targets and strongly urged U.S. citizens to avoid the areas.
Around 20 military police officers armed with rifles patrolled the perimeter of Elliot Dover Christian School on May 7. The school’s principal, Maria de los Angeles Mendez, told AFP that classes were proceeding as normal and said the school had received no direct threat. Security was also tightened around the Civic Center, which houses the presidential palace and several ministries, as well as the city’s American School, which has a large number of U.S. students.
Honduran Police Director Juan Manuel Godoy reiterated that the U.S. warning was based on information from the FBI. A spokesman for the Honduran armed forces, Mario Rivero, stated that security forces were intensifying their investigations into possible threats. However, some members of President Xiomara Castro’s government expressed skepticism and suggested that the United States should focus on its own citizens' safety.
Writing on social media, Planning Minister Ricardo Salgado remarked that “despite all its technology and intelligence, the U.S. never anticipated a mass shooting on its territory.” This comment reflects a broader sentiment among some Hondurans who feel that the U.S. should not dictate security measures in their country while struggling with its own issues of gun violence.
The U.S. Embassy's warning has sparked discussions about the nature of threats in Honduras and the perception of safety among its citizens. The heightened security measures, while reassuring to some, have also led to anxiety in a country already grappling with crime and violence. With elections approaching, the stakes are higher than ever, and the government’s response to these threats will be closely monitored.
As the situation develops, both Honduran authorities and the U.S. Embassy continue to work together to ensure the safety of citizens and residents alike. The cooperation underscores the importance of communication and vigilance in the face of potential threats, particularly in a region plagued by violence and instability.