Hondurans flee capital neighborhood under threat from gang

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras – Authorities in Honduras say more than 100 residents of a neighborhood in the capital have fled with their belongings following threats from a gang.

People in El Hoyo on Tegucigalpa's south side told local television that masked gang members armed with semi-automatic rifles appeared Wednesday night and announced that residents had 24 hours to abandon their homes or face the consequences. They also distributed fliers.

Speaking at a news conference Thursday, Honduran army Col. Tito Moreno tried to reassure residents they would be kept safe and urged them to return to their homes.

Police spokesman Selkin Arita said more than 140 residents had fled.

Earlier in the week, residents of a neighborhood in the city of San Pedro Sula in northern Honduras similarly fled after gang threats.