Travel Update-Weekly Edition

State Dept Travel Warnings and Public announcements - For the full announcements or further detail on Travel Warnings and Public Announcements, please see  http://travel.state.gov/travel

Ethiopia -  On April 16 the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa issued the following Warden Message: "The U.S. Embassy has received reports of two separate explosions in the early evening of 14 April at two petrol stations in Addis Ababa. Initial reports indicate that as many as three people were killed and as many as 16 - 19 people injured as a result of the two explosions. One of the explosions occurred at the National Oil Company (NOC) station in the vicinity of the Lem Hotel on Haile Gabre Selassie; the other occurred at another NOC station in the vicinity of the Imperial Hotel. The first explosion is said to have occurred at approximately 1845; the second occurred approximately 10 to 15 minutes later. While the cause of the explosions have yet to be determined, the fact that the explosions occurred at close to the same time and at similar service stations, suggests these may have been targeted incidents. Ethiopian authorities are investigating the cause of the explosions." American citizens should review their personal safety and security posture, remain vigilant, and be cautious when frequenting prominent public places and landmarks.

 

Haiti - On April 11, the U.S.  Department of State issued the following Travel Warning for Haiti, which reads in part, "This Travel Warning is being issued to inform American citizens of violent demonstrations in Haiti and to urge American citizens to defer non-essential travel to the country.  Official Americans are restricted from travel to Haiti.  American citizens visiting Haiti should consider departing as soon as circumstances permit.  Americans in Haiti should remain vigilant in regard to their personal security, take commonsense precautions, and avoid any event where crowds may congregate.  The violence may result in occasional limitation of Embassy operations to emergency services.  Americans are also reminded of ongoing security concerns in Haiti, including frequent kidnappings of Americans for ransom. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for Haiti issued on August 31, 2007. In early April 2008, there was a violent outbreak of civil unrest in Haiti.  Protestors angered by high food prices filled the streets of Port-au-Prince, forcing businesses and schools to close.  Demonstrations continue and have frequently turned violent with firing of weapons, rock throwing, tire-burning, erection of street barricades, and looting.  The violence has forced most people to stay indoors and stranded others in isolated locations.  The demonstrations began in the southern city of Les Cayes, where four persons were reported killed during clashes with U.N. peacekeepers.  Haitian National Police and U.N. troops are in the streets to restore order, using teargas and rubber bullets to disperse rioters and looters.  Mobs, burning tires, and barricades along the main routes of the capital have disrupted access to the Port-au-Prince International Airport, which remains open. American citizens should defer non-essential travel to Haiti at this time.  Those visiting Haiti should consider departing as soon as circumstances permit.  Americans in Haiti are advised to remain vigilant in regard to their personal security, take commonsense precautions, and avoid any event where crowds may congregate.  Due to the absence of an effective police force in much of Haiti, there is a potential for looting, the presence of intermittent roadblocks set by armed gangs or by the police, and the possibility of random violent crime, including carjacking and assault. Americans in Haiti should closely monitor news media and the U.S. Embassy's website at http://haiti.usembassy.gov/warden_information.html. U.S. citizens traveling to and residing in Haiti despite this warning are reminded that there is also a chronic danger of violent crime, especially kidnappings. Most kidnappings are criminal in nature, and the kidnappers make no distinctions of nationality, race, gender or age; all are vulnerable.  There were 29 reported kidnappings of Americans in 2007.  As of the date of this Travel Warning thirteen Americans were reported kidnapped in 2008.  Most of the Americans were abducted in Port-au-Prince.  These kidnappings have been marked by deaths, brutal physical and sexual assault, and shooting of Americans. The lack of civil protections in Haiti, as well as the limited capability of local law enforcement to resolve kidnapping cases, further compounds the element of danger surrounding this trend. Travel is always hazardous within Port-au-Prince. Official American visitors are restricted from traveling to Haiti at the present time.  U.S. Embassy personnel are under an embassy-imposed curfew and must remain in their homes or in U.S. government facilities during the curfew. Some areas are off-limits to embassy staff after dark, including downtown Port-au-Prince.  The embassy limits travel by its staff to areas outside of Port-au-Prince and therefore the ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens outside of Port-au-Prince is constrained.  The UN stabilization force (MINUSTAH) remains fully deployed and is assisting the government of Haiti in providing security.

 

Mexico - On April 14 the U.S. Department of State issued the following Travel Alert: "This Travel Alert updates information for U.S. citizens on security situations in Mexico that may affect their activities while in that country. This supersedes the Travel Alert for Mexico dated October 24, 2007, and expires on October 15, 2008. "Violence Along The U.S.-Mexico Border - Violent criminal activity fueled by a war between criminal organizations struggling for control of the lucrative narcotics trade continues along the U.S.-Mexico border. Attacks are aimed primarily at members of drug trafficking organizations, Mexican police forces, criminal justice officials, and journalists. However, foreign visitors and residents, including Americans, have been among the victims of homicides and kidnappings in the border region. In its effort to combat violence, the government of Mexico has deployed military troops in various parts of the country. U.S. citizens are urged to cooperate with official checkpoints when traveling on Mexican highways. "Recent Mexican army and police force conflicts with heavily-armed narcotics cartels have escalated to levels equivalent to military small-unit combat and have included use of machine guns and fragmentation grenades. Confrontations have taken place in numerous towns and cities in northern Mexico, including Tijuana in the Mexican state of Baja California, and Chihuahua City and Ciudad Juarez in the state of Chihuahua. The situation in northern Mexico remains very fluid; the location and timing of future armed engagements there cannot be predicted. "Armed robberies and carjackings, apparently unconnected to the narcotics-related violence, have increased in Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez. Dozens of U.S. citizens were kidnapped and/or murdered in Tijuana in 2007. Public shootouts have occurred during daylight hours near shopping areas. "Criminals are armed with a wide array of sophisticated weapons. In some cases, assailants have worn full or partial police or military uniforms and have used vehicles that resemble police vehicles. "U.S. citizens are urged to be especially alert to safety and security concerns when visiting the border region. While Mexican citizens overwhelmingly are the victims of these crimes, this uncertain security situation poses risks for U.S. citizens as well. Thousands of U.S. citizens cross the border safely each day, exercising common-sense precautions such as visiting only legitimate business and tourist areas of border towns during daylight hours. It is strongly recommended that travelers avoid areas where prostitution and drug dealing occur. "Criminals have followed and harassed U.S. citizens traveling in their vehicles, particularly in border areas including Nuevo Laredo, Matamoros, and Tijuana. There is no evidence, however, that U.S. citizens are targeted because of their nationality. "U.S. citizen victims of crime in Mexico are urged to contact the consular section of the nearest U.S. consulate or Embassy for advice and assistance. "Crime and Violence in Mexico - U.S. citizens residing and traveling in Mexico should exercise caution when in unfamiliar areas and be aware of their surroundings at all times. Violence by criminal elements affects many parts of the country, urban and rural, including border areas. Though there is no evidence that U.S. citizens are specifically targeted, Mexican and foreign bystanders have been injured or killed in some violent attacks, demonstrating the heightened risk in public places. In recent years, dozens of U.S. citizens have been kidnapped in Mexico and many cases remain unresolved. Moreover, new cases of disappearances and kidnap-for-ransom continue to be reported. No one can be considered immune from kidnapping on the basis of occupation, nationality, or other factors. U.S. citizens who believe they are being followed should notify Mexican officials as soon as possible. U.S. citizens should make every attempt to travel on main roads during daylight hours, particularly the toll ('cuota') roads, which are generally more secure. It is preferable for U.S. citizens to stay in well-known tourist destinations and tourist areas of the cities with more adequate security, and provide an itinerary to a friend or family member not traveling with them. U.S. citizens should avoid traveling alone as a means to better ensure their safety. Refrain from displaying expensive-looking jewelry, large amounts of money, or other valuable items. "Demonstrations occur frequently throughout Mexico and usually are peaceful. However, even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence unexpectedly. Some deaths occurred during violent demonstrations, including an American citizen who died in the 2006 violence in Oaxaca. During demonstrations or law enforcement operations, U.S. citizens are advised to remain in their homes or hotels, avoid large crowds, and avoid the downtown and surrounding areas. Since the timing and routes of scheduled marches and demonstrations are always subject to change, U.S. citizens should monitor local media sources for new developments and exercise extreme caution while within the vicinity of protests. The Mexican Constitution prohibits political activities by foreigners, and such actions may result in detention and/or deportation. Therefore, U.S. citizens are advised to avoid participating in demonstrations or other activities that might be deemed political by Mexican authorities."

 

Syria - On April 15 the U.S. Department of State issued the following Travel Warning: "This Travel Warning alerts U.S. citizens to ongoing safety and security concerns in Syria. American citizens are urged to thoroughly consider the risks of travel to Syria and to take adequate precautions to ensure their safety. This supersedes the Travel Warning for Syria issued on September 18, 2007. "A number of terrorist groups that oppose U.S. policies have offices in Syria. Since 1979, the United States has designated Syria a State Sponsor of Terrorism due to its support for organizations such as Hizbollah, Hamas, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. In addition, other extremist groups are present in Syria. These groups have the potential to be either the targets of or perpetrators of acts of violence. On February 12, 2008, an explosion occurred in the residential Kafer Soseh neighborhood of Damascus, killing Imad Moughniyeh, a senior Hizbollah operative. In 2006, the U.S. Embassy in Damascus was attacked by terrorists armed with guns, grenades, and a car bomb. The Syrian Government has allowed anti-U.S. demonstrations to occur; the latest was on March 3, 2008. Anti-U.S. demonstrations date back to September 2005, some of which have turned violent and led to damage to Western embassies, including the U.S. Embassy. "U.S. citizens who remain in or travel to Syria are encouraged to register at the consular section of the U.S. Embassy in Damascus, and to obtain updated information on travel and security in Syria. Americans in Syria should exercise caution and take prudent measures to maintain their security. These measures include being aware of their surroundings, avoiding crowds and demonstrations, keeping a low profile, varying times and routes for all travel, and ensuring travel documents are current."

 

Zimbabwe - On April 11 the U.S. Department of State issued the following Travel Alert: "This Travel Alert is being issued to update U.S. citizens on safety and security concerns throughout Zimbabwe due to ongoing political instability following the March 29 national elections, and advises them to consider carefully the risks of travel to Zimbabwe at this time. This supersedes the Travel Alert for Zimbabwe dated February 15, 2008 and expires on June 1, 2008.
"U.S. citizens should carefully consider the risks of travel to Zimbabwe. While the country awaits results of the 29 March presidential elections, security forces including some military and police, as well as war veterans are creating a climate of intimidation and fear across the country, particularly in rural areas and high-density suburbs. There have been attacks on opposition supporters, renewed farm invasions, and arrests of election officials accused of vote tampering. There is a continued risk of arbitrary detention or arrest. "Americans should be particularly aware of using still, video or telephone cameras in any urban setting, or in the vicinity of any political activity, as this could be construed by Zimbabwean authorities as practicing journalism without accreditation, a crime punishable by arrest, incarceration and/or deportation."

The government is ordering airlines to double the compensation they must pay passengers bumped from oversold flights to as much as $800 under certain conditions. Under the change announced Wednesday by Transportation Secretary Mary Peters, fliers who are involuntarily bumped would receive up to $400 if they are rescheduled to reach their destination within two hours of their original arrival time, or four hours for international flights, and up to $800 if their arrival is delayed longer. The change, which goes into effect in May, is among several new aviation measures aimed at strengthening passenger protections, improving consumer choice and reducing congestion, according to a written statement from the Transportation Department. The new bumping rule covers more flights, including planes seating as few as 30 travelers. The current rule covers flights with 60 seats or more. The amount of the payment will be determined by the price of the ticket and the length of the delay, and is in addition to the value of the passenger's ticket, which can be used for alternate transportation or can be refunded.