The U.S. State Department has issued a series of travel warnings to Americans looking to visit the Caribbean or South America this summer after countries across both regions experienced an uptick in crime.
The department issued five updated travel advisories in the past three weeks for Haiti, Colombia, Jamaica, Chile and Peru, with Haiti receiving the highest level advisory: Do Not Travel. The warning advises that Haiti has experienced “widespread” kidnapping, with victims “regularly” including U.S. citizens and ransom negotiations. Americans have been harmed during these incidents, the department warned. The country has also had a rash of robberies and carjackings, as well as “mob killings” against presumed criminals.
Jamaica considered sending police and soldiers to Haiti to help the country deal with ongoing gang violence that has gripped the capital for months in response to an appeal for foreign troop assistance – a request that the U.S. and Canada had turned down. However, Jamaica has its own crime problem. Colombia and Jamaica, both of which have seen violent crimes increase in recent months, have received level three advisories to “reconsider travel.”
The State Department cautioned that Jamaica has for several years reported a homicide rate that ranks “among the highest in the Western Hemisphere.” American government personnel have been prohibited from travelling to several areas in the country and from travelling on buses or driving outside certain areas of Kingston at night.
Colombia has struggled with crime and political turmoil, with representatives from the government and the National Liberation Army (ELN), the country’s largest guerilla group, meeting in Cuba this month for a third round of talks to discuss peace talks and a cease-fire.
The ELN, Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia – People’s Army (FARC-EP), and Segunda Marquetalia terrorist organizations, as well as the Clan del Golfo and other criminal organizations “continue operating and carrying out attacks” in the country, according to the State Department.
The department warns that “demonstrations occur regularly,” with large public demonstrations over a “variety of political or economic issues” that can “shut down roads and highways.”
Chile and Peru have level two advisories, which suggest “increased caution” as both countries continue to similarly experience some political turmoil, with large-scale demonstrations periodically in the cities. Peru’s advisory is an improvement from earlier advisories, which were issued during widespread national protests over the resignation of the country’s President Pedro Castillo
