Entire Peace Corps delegation in Honduras leaves due to safety concerns

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras – The entire Peace Corps delegation in Honduras has left the country weeks after the United States decided to pull them out of for safety reasons.

A U.S. Embassy spokeswoman says 158 volunteers have left the Central American country notorious for the world's highest homicide rate.

The president of Honduras says the group was affected by rising crime, but he and the U.S. haven't specified attacks.

The Peace Corps had operated in Honduras since 1963.

In December, the Peace Corps announced it was bringing home volunteers from Honduras and suspending training for new volunteers in El Salvador and Guatemala.

The region is plagued by drug gang violence. Volunteers remain in the other two countries.