Olancho News

A storm exposed the ancient bones of a giant sloth in San Esteban, Olancho, prompting a joint excavation by Honduras's Institute of Anthropology and History and U.S. Fulbright paleontologist Greg McDonald.

National Police arrested two men in Dulce Nombre de Culmí, Olancho, on suspicion of trafficking cocaine after finding 10 and 5 small bags of white powder in their possession during a raid.

Francisco, 16, was swept away by the Río Patuca current in Catacamas, Olancho, on Tuesday while attempting to cross on a burro; his body was recovered on Friday after a three-day search as heavy rains from a weather system affected the region.

Two men disappeared after attempting to cross the swollen Patuca River in Olancho; rescue efforts have recovered one body 20 kilometers downstream, while search operations continue for the second man.

Police in Olancho arrested a mother and father accused of sexually exploiting their daughters; one daughter became pregnant as a result of the abuse.

The Property Institute (IP) began a land-regularization project in San Esteban to issue formal property titles to over 2,000 families, officials say, aimed at strengthening land tenure security and economic development in the municipality.

A young man disappeared in Olancho after being swept away by strong currents in the Río Patuca while attempting to cross on a donkey, with relatives and locals searching for him.

Torrential rains across Olancho and Gracias a Dios departments have cut off 80% of communities in Patuca municipality, leaving 30,000 people stranded with damaged roads, flooded crops, two missing young men, and over 60 families evacuated from Wampusirpi.

Firefighters in Catacamas, Olancho, rescued 22-year-old Meyling Griselda Baca Vallejo after her arm became trapped in an industrial tortilla-making machine; she was taken to a hospital for emergency care.

Two young people disappeared while attempting to cross the Patuca River in Honduras; search efforts are ongoing.

A 28-year-old man was arrested in Olancho on suspicion of sexually abusing a 5-year-old girl after her mother reported the allegations to police; the suspect is a relative of the victim's family.

Police in Yoro arrested a doctor and a hospital orderly for allegedly releasing the body of four-year-old Ian Suárez, who died in an armed attack, to family members without following proper protocol, though colleagues contend the doctor acted correctly.

Infrastructure Minister Aníbal Ehrler announced plans to repave 2.5 kilometers in Dulce Nombre de Culmí (over 40 million lempiras) and improve 118 kilometers of roads across Olancho to boost regional connectivity and economic growth.

A judge ordered pretrial detention for Miguel Ángel Hernández Mejía, accused of sexually abusing an 11-year-old girl in Catacamas, Olancho, after he confessed to paying the child's mother 4,000 lempiras (about $160) monthly for six months.

The Forest Conservation Institute (ICF) discovered environmental damage in the buffer zone of Sierra de Agalta National Park in Olancho, including about 1.5 hectares of illegal land clearing, agricultural plots, and evidence of fires set to prepare land for planting.

Rossell Cardona was killed by multiple gunshot wounds on the evening of July 8 in the Las Acacias boulevard area of Catacamas, Olancho; police are investigating the motive and identity of those responsible.

Nolberto Ramos, 66, died after being bitten by a snake in Patuca, Olancho; authorities have not released details about the incident or the species involved.

Police arrested two suspects on drug-trafficking charges following an operation in Catacamas, Olancho.

Juan Ángel Guadalupe Domínguez Cárcamo, 66, was found dead in a mountainous area of Salamá municipality after disappearing on Saturday; firefighters recovered his remains in an advanced state of decomposition, and authorities are investigating the cause of death.

Health authorities declared a local epidemic in Olancho after more than 300 dengue cases accumulated there, with 45–50 new infections reported each week, and officials warned of circulation of serotype 3, a variant linked to more severe illness.

The Health Ministry has declared a local dengue epidemic in Olancho's municipalities of Juticalpa and Catacamas, with epidemiological data showing rising cases that officials say require urgent intervention to prevent wider spread.

An agricultural leader in Olancho expressed alarm over a severe drought threatening dry-season plantings and grain production, calling the current conditions unprecedented and warning of potential food-security risks.

A magnitude 3.5 earthquake centered about 36 kilometers southeast of Froylán Turcios in Olancho on Monday caused no reported damage or injuries, authorities said.

Anti-narcotics police arrested a person in Catacamas found with 32 packets of suspected cocaine, an additional ounce, drug-preparation equipment, and cash during operations against small-scale drug networks.

A 22-year-old woman from Dulce Nombre de Culmí in Olancho died of severe dengue caused by serotype 3, after developing symptoms in early June amid active virus circulation across multiple regions.

National Police arrested a 42-year-old man from Guayape, Olancho, on an outstanding murder warrant, identifying him as the suspected leader of the criminal organization known as 'El Zanate,' which operates in that municipality.

An Environmental Protection Battalion patrol in Las Agujas, Catacamas, Olancho stopped the illegal felling of about 98 mixed hardwood trees following a citizen report; two chainsaws were seized and the suspects fled.

Police arrested a man in Catacamas on suspicion of drug trafficking and illegal firearm possession.

Heavy rains across eastern and central Honduras have destroyed roads and bridges, isolated thousands of people in five municipalities, caused crop losses, and left two young men missing after being swept away by the swollen Patuca River in Olancho.

Two young people disappeared while attempting to cross the Patuca River in Honduras.