Battalion 3-16 (Honduras)

Battalion 3-16 (Honduras)

Intelligence Battalion 3-16 or Battalion 316 (various names: Group of 14 (1979–1981), Special Investigations Branch (DIES) (1982–1983), Intelligence Battalion 3-16 (from 1982 or 1984 to 1986), Intelligence and Counter-Intelligence Branch (since 1987)) was the name of a Honduran army unit responsible for carrying out political assassinations and torture of suspected political opponents of the government during the 1980s.

Battalion members received training and support from the United States Central Intelligence Agency both in Honduras at U.S. military bases, Battalion 601 (including Ciga Correa), who had collaborated with the Chilean DINA in assassinating General Carlos Prats and had trained, along with Mohamed Alí Seineldín, the Argentine Anticommunist Alliance. At least 19 Battalion 3-16 members were graduates of the School of the Americas. The Battalion 3-16 was also trained by Pinochet's Chile.

The name indicated the unit's service to three military units and sixteen battalions of the Honduran army. The reorganisation of the unit under the name "Intelligence Battalion 3-16" is attributed to General Gustavo Álvarez Martínez.