Travel Update-Weekly Edition

Belize - The U.S. Embassy in Belmopan issued the following Warden Message on August 7: "The U.S. Embassy in Belmopan issues the following information to American citizens traveling to or residing in Belize. Due to a recent increase in violent crime in Belmopan and the surrounding areas of the Cayo District, Americans are reminded to exercise an appropriate level of vigilance and caution in all their activities. U.S. citizens should exercise particular caution when in unfamiliar areas and be aware of their surroundings at all times. "Violent crime continues to affect both urban and rural areas of the country. In the past two weeks there have been several armed robberies and other violent crimes committed in Belmopan, located in Cayo District. Residents and visitors to Belmopan, San Ignacio, Benque Viejo, rural villages in the Cayo District, as well as Belize City, should remain alert and be aware of their surroundings at all times. "The Belize Ministry of National Security continues to work with local police, the Belize Defense Force and the U.S. Embassy with regard to security issues in the country. While some recent robberies have affected U.S. Citizens directly, there is no current information available to suggest that the perpetrators were specifically targeting tourists or U.S. citizens. In some cases victims appear to have been targets of opportunity."

 

Colombia - On August 7 the U.S. Department of State issued the following Travel Warning: "This Travel Warning updates and reminds American citizens of ongoing security concerns in Colombia. The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens of the dangers of travel to Colombia. While security in Colombia has improved significantly in recent years, violence by narco-terrorist groups continues to affect some rural areas and cities. The potential for violence by terrorists and other criminal elements exists in all parts of the country. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for Colombia issued February 05, 2008. "Violence has decreased markedly in many urban areas; however, the level of violence in Buenaventura remains high. Small towns and rural areas of Colombia can still be extremely dangerous due to the presence of narco-terrorists. Common crime remains a significant problem in many urban and rural areas. For additional details about the general criminal threat, please see the Department of State’s Country Specific Information for Colombia. "The incidence of kidnapping in Colombia has diminished significantly from its peak at the beginning of this decade. Nevertheless, terrorist groups such as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the National Liberation Army (ELN), and other criminal organizations continue to kidnap and hold civilians for ransom or as political bargaining chips. No one is immune from kidnapping on the basis of occupation, nationality, or other factors. Kidnapping in rural areas is of particular concern. On July 2, 2008, the Government of Colombia rescued 15 hostages, including three Americans, who had been held for more than 5 years. Although the U.S. government places the highest priority on the safe recovery of kidnapped Americans, it is U.S. policy not to make concessions to or strike deals with kidnappers. Consequently, the U.S. government’s ability to assist kidnapping victims is limited. "U.S. government officials and their families in Colombia are permitted to travel to major cities in the country, but normally only by air. They cannot use inter- or intra-city bus transportation, or travel by road outside urban areas at night. All Americans in Colombia are urged to follow these precautions."

 

Comoros - On August 13 the U.S. Department of State issued the following Travel Alert for the Comoros; "This Travel Alert is being issued to advise U.S. citizens traveling to the Union of the Comoros of the potential for demonstrations and civil unrest due to a severe fuel shortage across the nation. This Travel Alert expires October 12, 2008. "The Union of Comoros is continuing to experience gasoline and diesel fuel shortages following a July 2008 termination of a sole source supply contract for the country’s fuel needs. Street demonstrations protesting the lack of fuel have occurred in Moroni, the Comoran capital, and on the island of Anjouan. These protests are primarily directed against the Comoran government but past protests have been directed against the French and other Westerners residing in the country. Further demonstrations may occur, pending a resolution of the fuel shortages. "In light of this information, U.S. citizens are urged to carefully consider travel to Comoros at this time. Fuel shortages have severely impacted the availability of transportation, as well as electricity and running water. In addition, the political and security situation in Moroni is tense and the possibility of spontaneous mob violence throughout Comoros is a concern. U.S. citizens already in Comoros are urged to maintain a high level of vigilance and a low profile."

 

Georgia - On August 12 the U.S. Department of State issued the following Travel Warning for Georgia: "This Travel Warning updates information on the current security situation in Georgia.  In light of the continued aerial bombings of civilian and military targets in several areas of the country, the Department of State warns U.S. citizens to defer non-essential travel to Georgia and recommends that all U.S. citizens depart Georgia. American citizens who remain in Georgia despite this and earlier warnings are urged to continue to review their personal security situations, to take appropriate action to ensure their safety, and should consider relocating to a safe location.  Private Americans are encouraged to follow the precautions detailed below and to remain in close communication with the American Embassy in Tbilisi for more detailed information.  This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for Georgia issued August 8, 2008. On August 10 and 11, two Embassy-coordinated convoys of American citizens departed Georgia for Armenia.  A third convoy, made up of buses and other vehicles, is scheduled for Wednesday, August 13.  American citizens interested in joining the convoy should call the consular section at 995-32-27-70-00, ext. 7137 or ext. 7003, or 899-57-39-69.  The Consular Section of the US Embassy has suspended visa processing at this time, but is open 24 hours for American Citizens Services until further notice.  Peace Corps temporarily relocated trainees and volunteers to Armenia on August 11.  The Peace Corps office in Tbilisi remains open for business.  At this time, Embassy personnel are unable to travel to western Georgia because of the security situation. American citizens in Georgia are advised to contact the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi as soon as possible to register and provide information on their current situation. Americans in western Georgia are advised to depart the country if possible.  If safe departure is not possible, Americans in western Georgia are advised to remain in place and maintain contact with the consular section of the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi pending further guidance. American citizens should monitor the U.S. Embassy website http://georgia.usembassy.gov and stay in contact with family and friends in the United States."

 

Pakistan - On August 7 the U.S. Department of State issued the following Travel Warning: "This Travel Warning updates information on security incidents and reminds U.S. citizens of ongoing security concerns in Pakistan. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning dated September 21, 2007. "The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens against non-essential travel to Pakistan in light of the threat of terrorist activity. "The presence of Al-Qaida, Taliban elements and indigenous sectarian groups poses a potential danger to American citizens, especially in the western border regions. Continuing tensions in the Middle East also increase the possibility of violence against Westerners in Pakistan. Terrorists and their sympathizers have demonstrated their willingness and capability to attack targets where Americans are known to congregate or visit, such as hotels, clubs and restaurants, places of worship, schools, or outdoor recreation events. In March 2008, a restaurant frequented by westerners in Islamabad was bombed, killing one patron and seriously injuring several others, including four American diplomats. On March 2, 2006, an American diplomat, his locally employed driver, and three others were killed when a suicide bomber detonated a car packed with explosives in front of the U.S. Consulate General in Karachi. Fifty-two others were wounded. "Sectarian and extremist violence has resulted in fatal bomb attacks in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Lahore, and other Pakistani cities in 2006, 2007 and 2008. Since 2007, over 1,000 bombings have killed more than 1,000 people throughout Pakistan and injured many more. Some of the attacks have occurred outside major hotels, in market areas and other locations frequented by Americans. Other recent targets have included restaurants, Pakistani government officials and buildings, and international NGOs. "Rallies, demonstrations, and processions occur regularly throughout Pakistan on very short notice. In the aftermath of the December 2007 death of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, widespread rioting in Karachi led to multiple deaths and injuries as well as widespread property damage. Demonstrations have often taken on an anti-American or anti-western character, and Americans are urged to avoid large gatherings. "In 2007 and 2008, several American citizens throughout Pakistan were kidnapped for ransom or for personal reasons. Kidnappings for ransom are common in some parts of Pakistan, such as the Northwest Frontier Province and Sindh Province."

 

Yemen - On August 12, the U.S. Department of State issued the following Travel Warning for Yemen: "This Travel Warning is being issued to inform American citizens that the Department of State has lifted the ordered departure status of non-emergency American employees and adult family members of all employees at the U.S. Embassy in Sanaa, Yemen. The Department recommends that American citizens defer non-essential travel to Yemen. American citizens remaining in Yemen despite this warning should monitor the U.S. Embassy website at http://yemen.usembassy.gov and should make contingency emergency plans. This supersedes the Travel Warning for Yemen issued April 7, 2008. The Department of State recommends that U.S. citizens defer non-essential travel to Yemen at this time. The security threat level remains high due to terrorist activities in Yemen. Several explosions targeted the embassy compound on March 18. The explosions injured several Yemeni citizens, including government security personnel and schoolchildren. Embassy employees have been advised to exercise caution when choosing restaurants, hotels or visiting tourist areas in Sanaa in order to avoid large gatherings of foreigners and expatriates. In addition, unofficial travel outside of the capital is not authorized at this time. U.S. citizens who travel to or remain in Yemen despite this warning should exercise caution and take prudent security measures, including maintaining a high level of vigilance, avoiding crowds and demonstrations, keeping a low profile, varying times and routes for all travel, and ensuring travel documents are current. American citizens in Yemen are advised to exercise particular caution at locations frequented by foreigners countrywide including restaurants and hotels frequented by expatriates. From time to time, the Embassy may restrict official Americans from restaurants, hotels, or shopping areas. The Department of State strongly encourages American citizens to consult the most recent Warden Messages (http://usembassy.state.gov/yemen/citizen_services.html) to get up-to-date information on security conditions. Americans who believe they are being followed or threatened while driving in urban centers should proceed as quickly as possible to the nearest police station or major intersection and request assistance from the officers in the blue-and-white police cars stationed there. The Department remains concerned about possible attacks by extremist individuals or groups against U.S. citizens, facilities, businesses, and perceived interests. On January 17, 2008, suspected al-Qa’ida operatives ambushed a tourist convoy in the eastern Hadramout Governorate, killing two Belgians. On July 2, 2007, suspected al-Qa'ida operatives carried out a vehicle-borne explosive device attack on tourists at the Belquis Temple in Marib, which resulted in the deaths of eight Spanish tourists and two Yemenis. The targeting of tourist sites by al-Qa'ida may represent an escalation in terror tactics in Yemen. On February 3, 2006, 23 convicts, including known affiliates of al-Qa'ida, escaped from a high-security prison in the capital city, Sanaa, some of whom remain at large. Two of the escapees were later killed in vehicle-based suicide attacks on oil facilities near Mukalla and Marib on September 15, 2006. Those attacks were followed by the arrest the next day in Sanaa of four suspected al Qa’ida operatives, who had stockpiled explosives and weapons. Since January 2007, the Government of Yemen had been battling al Houthi rebels in and around the northern governorate of Saada. While foreigners have not been targeted, hundreds of soldiers and civilians have been killed in the violence. U.S. citizens traveling in Yemen should be aware that local authorities occasionally place restrictions on the travel of foreigners to parts of the country experiencing unrest. In addition, the U.S. Embassy itself often restricts travel of official personnel to the tribal areas north and east of Sanaa, such as the governorates of Amran, Al Jawf, Hajja, Marib, Saada, and Shabwa. Travelers should be in contact with the Embassy for up-to-date information on such restrictions."