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US warns of potential mass shooting threat in Honduras

Honduras officially opened an embassy in China on Sunday, months after the Central American country switched its diplomatic allegiance from Taipei to Beijing. China considers self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed to take control of the island one day. It does not allow countries to recognise both Beijing and Taipei and has in recent years lured away many of Taiwan's allies using economic incentives. "The relations between Honduras and China will open new opportunities and capabilities to strengthen the cooperation between both countries," Honduran Foreign Minister Enrique Reina told Chinese state media after a ceremony unveiling a plaque for the new embassy. Honduran President Xiomara Castro arrived in Shanghai on Friday for a five-day visit to cement the relationship and will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. Castro is expected to sign a host of agreements during her visit. Reina said earlier this month that China had already opened the door to imports of melons, shrimp, bananas and other Honduran products. Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang attended the ceremony on Sunday, the official Xinhua news agency said, shaking hands with Reina in front of a row of Chinese and Honduran flags. In March, Honduras cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan in favour of Beijing. The switch reduced the number of countries that diplomatically recognise Taipei to just 13. China opened an embassy in the Honduran capital Tegucigalpa this week.
Source: Pixabay

The US embassy in Honduras warned Tuesday of a “potential mass shooting threat” in the capital Tegucigalpa, prompting police to step up surveillance.

The diplomatic mission often alerts US citizens about possible risks from criminal violence in the Central American country.

“The US Embassy has received information about a potential mass shooting threat today, May 6, and again on May 16 in Tegucigalpa,” it said on social media platform X.

“Possible targets include Elliot Dover Christian School, the Centro Civico, and an unidentified mall. US citizens are strongly urged to avoid these areas,” it added.

Honduran Police Director Juan Manuel Godoy said that the warning was based on information from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Officers were implementing “increased surveillance” including vehicle checks, police spokesman Miguel Martinez Madrid said.

Military police were seen guarding the Elliot Dover school following the warning.

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AFP

Agence France-Presse (AFP) is a French international news agency headquartered in Paris, France. Founded in 1835 as Havas, it is the world's oldest news agency.

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