State Dept. Travel Warnings and Public Announcements

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

Argentina - On December 14 the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires issued a Warden Message, which reads in parts as follows: "This warden message is being issued to alert U.S. citizens that on December 20, 2009, the Government of Argentina will begin charging American Citizens visiting Argentina for business or tourism an entry fee of $131 U.S. dollars. The fee will be collected only at Buenos Aires Ezeiza International Airport. Once paid, the fee permits multiple entries into Argentina for ten years in accordance with United States visa reciprocity. Americans may pay in dollars, by credit card, or with travelers checks. …"

Azerbaijan - On December 14 the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires issued a Warden Message, which reads in parts as follows: "This warden message is being issued to alert U.S. citizens that on December 20, 2009, the Government of Argentina will begin charging American Citizens visiting Argentina for business or tourism an entry fee of $131 U.S. dollars. The fee will be collected only at Buenos Aires Ezeiza International Airport. Once paid, the fee permits multiple entries into Argentina for ten years in accordance with United States visa reciprocity. Americans may pay in dollars, by credit card, or with travelers checks. …"

India - On December 14 the Indian Home Ministry heightened security at high-profile facilities following warnings that Taliban-trained suicide bombers may have infiltrated India in order to carry out attacks against vital installations in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Gujarat state. Security has been heightened at airports, the Bombay Stock Exchange and the Bhabha Atomic Research Center in Mumbai, the U.S. Consulate in Kolkata and the offices of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Hindu nationalist organization in various cities. The report also warned of a possible attack targeting the Men's Hockey World Cup, which will be held at Dhyan Chand National Stadium in Delhi from February 28 to March 13. Reports of alleged terror plots emerge frequently in India, though most reports in recent months have cited Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan-based militant group, as the principal threat. There have been previous reports that Taliban-linked militants have infiltrated India, most recently in April 2009. The Taliban have made threats directed against India, though Taliban-linked groups have not carried out attacks in the country and suicide bombings are not a common tactic. In light of the recent warnings, travelers and expatriates should exercise caution and try to avoid crowded areas to the extent possible.

Mexico - - On December 15 the U.S. Consulate General in Nuevo Laredo issued the following Warden Message: "On the evening of December 10, an incident occurred in Nuevo Laredo involving the police and the military. A military convoy fired upon an unmarked police vehicle in a case of mistaken identity. The police had been responding to a call. The military mistook them for fleeing suspects and opened fire. No injuries were reported, but the incident highlights the potential danger to the public from so-called "friendly fire". "In order to avoid becoming involved in such an incident, the Consulate General advises all U.S. citizens to give all military convoys a wide berth. Should you see military vehicles behind you, you are advised to slow down or pull over and let them overtake you. If you are stopped by the military, you are advised to cooperate and use good judgment."

Phillipines - On December 15 the U.S. Embassy in Manila issued the following Warden Message: "The U.S. Embassy advises U.S. Citizens in the Philippines to avoid the area of the Mayon Volcano, located in the Province of Albay, approximately 300 kilometers (186.41 miles) southeast of Manila, on the island of Luzon. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) raised its alert status for the Mayon Volcano to Alert Level 3 indicating increasing volcanic activity after six small ash explosions. This alert condition signifies magma is near the top of the crater and incandescent materials are now detaching. Mayon volcano is now at a 'high level of unrest' and may have more dangerous explosions. Thus, at Alert Level 3, Phivolcs strongly recommends that the provincial government evacuate areas under threat. Local governments have ordered evacuations in an 8 kilometer zone."