San Pedro Sula, Honduras, is notorious the world over for its consistent position at the top of global rankings of violence. For years, San Pedro Sula was number one for murders per citizen, only last year being supplanted by Caracas in Venezuela.
It’s enough to dissuade many travellers from setting foot anywhere near here. Much to their loss - most Sampedranos are warm and welcoming, their indefatigable positivity the city’s greatest asset.
Amongst economic development and a growing middle class, many young Hondurans are proud of their beautiful country and are optimistic about the future. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the budding art scene of the nation's industrial and commercial capital.
Jorge Pineda, under his artist pseudonym Rei Blinky, is synonymous with San Pedro Sula street art. His colourful designs and community projects bring colour - and positivity - to neighbourhoods both affluent and poor.
His work and those of other street artists in San Pedro Sula are there for everyone to enjoy, for everyone to feel a positive energy. These works let marginalised communities know - we have not forgotten you. These works let the world know - San Pedro Sula is so much more than the inter-gang violence it is famous for. San Pedro Sula is changing. San Pedro Sula looks after its own and its visitors. San Pedro Sula is love.