Honduras Gangs Declare Truce

Seeking talks with the government

Two of the most violent gangs in Honduras have announced a truce under a church-brokered drive to stem a tide of violence that has turned Honduras into the world's most murderous country.

Following the example of similar gangs in neighbouring El Salvador, masked members of the "Calle 18" and "Mara Salvatrucha" gangs made separate announcements on Tuesday from within San Pedro Sula prison in northern Honduras, which houses the country's most violent criminals.

Both gangs said they were keen to end the cycle of violence, but also demanded help from the government to find work and to be forgiven once they came out of prison.

"Today we're agreeing to zero crimes, zero violence on the streets," said a member of the Mara Salvatrucha gang on the ceasefire. "Both inside and outside, the boys know what we're talking about."