US State Department warns Americans not to travel to Haiti over kidnappings
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The U.S. State Department has issued an updated warning advising Americans not to travel to Haiti, citing widespread kidnappings and ransom demands that often run into tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Haiti, which shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic, is grappling with increasing gang violence and instability.
The U.S. State Department warned in an April 16 travel advisory that violent crime is still common in the Caribbean country, especially in the capital Port-au-Prince.
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“The spread of gang, organized crime and terrorist activity has led to widespread violence,” the advisory said, citing firearms-related crimes, carjacking, robbery, sexual assault, kidnapping and ransom demands. The statement was included.
“Ransom demands generally range from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars,” the statement said.
The U.S. State Department has issued a Level 4 travel alert warning Americans not to travel to Haiti (pictured here) due to increased violence and kidnapping threats across the country. (iStock)
Authorities also noted that local law enforcement “has an extremely limited ability to respond to serious crimes, particularly outside of Port-au-Prince and Cap Haitien.”
“When traveling to Haiti, do not engage in activities or conduct that would violate local laws and subject you to arrest and detention. Be alert for possible violations of the law,” the statement said.
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Level 4 is the State Department’s highest alert level; This means Americans may face life-threatening risks and should not travel to the country.
While the Level 4 recommendation has been in place for some time, the State Department added new warnings in this month’s update.
“Armed, anti-gang vigilante groups are attacking and, in many cases, killing individuals, including U.S. citizens.”
The advisory report also touched on the unrest, stating that protests and roadblocks were “widespread and unpredictable” and that protesters “sometimes damage or destroy infrastructure and may resort to violence.”
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The statement said “armed, anti-gang vigilante groups have attacked and, in many cases, killed individuals, including U.S. citizens, suspected of being gang members based solely on rumors or misinformation.”
There are no U.S. commercial flights to or from Port-au-Prince, but Americans can still try to reach the country via foreign carriers or indirect routes.
U.S. officials emphasized that security risks remain across Haiti, including in areas outside the capital where law enforcement response is even more limited. (Clarens Siffroy/AFP)
Americans in Haiti are being asked to establish a “proof of life protocol” with their families and select a family member to serve as a point of contact in case of abduction.
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The statement also advises Americans to “not physically resist any attempted robbery” and to “use caution when walking or driving at night.”
The State Department continues to urge Americans to avoid traveling to Haiti due to ongoing security threats and a lack of reliable emergency response. (iStock)
Haiti joins a list of other countries on the U.S. State Department’s travel advisory list.
Earlier this month, US officials issued a statement. travel warning For Albania, a popular cheap destination due to its Adriatic coastline, due to tensions with Iran.
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On Thursday, the U.S. Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago said Americans should “reconsider traveling to Trinidad and Tobago due to crime,” citing the “increased risk of terrorism.”
