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/

Haiti - On February 22 the U.S. Department of State issued an updated Travel Warning for Haiti, which reads in part as follows: "The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the situation in Haiti in the aftermath of a powerful earthquake, measuring 7.0 magnitude, that struck near Port-au-Prince on January 12. The Department of State has ordered the departure of all non-emergency U.S. government personnel from Haiti.

"The Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to avoid travel to Haiti. The January 12 earthquake caused significant damage to key infrastructure, and access to basic services is extremely limited. Additional aftershocks remain a possibility. All forms of communication within Haiti are limited. The country is experiencing a shortage of food, water, transportation, and adequate shelter. Many medical facilities have been operating beyond maximum capacity, and the current sanitation situation poses serious health risks. The Embassy's ability to provide emergency consular services is limited. With the resumption of commercial air services on February 19, the U.S. Government has discontinued evacuation assistance.

"Strong aftershocks are likely for months after an earthquake. In the event of an aftershock, persons outside should avoid falling debris by moving to open spaces, away from walls, windows, buildings, and other structures that may collapse. If indoors, persons should take shelter beside furniture, not underneath. Experts believe that curling into a fetal position beside a table, desk or couch may create a 'survivable void' inside collapsed buildings. Avoid damaged buildings and downed power lines. Do not use matches, lighters, candles, or any open flame in case of disrupted gas lines.

"U.S. citizens who choose to travel to Haiti despite this Travel Warning are urged to register their travel through the State Department's travel registration website. The Embassy of the United States Port-au-Prince Haiti is located at Boulevard du 15 October, Tabarre 41, Tabarre, Haiti, telephone: (509)(2) 229-8000, facsimile: (509)(2) 229-8027, email: acspap@state.gov American Citizens Services Unit office hours are 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Consular Section is closed on U.S. and local holidays. …"

Mexico - On February 22 the U.S. Department of State issued an updated Travel Alert for Mexico, which reads in part as follows: "The Department of State has issued this Travel Alert to update security information for U.S. citizens traveling to and living in Mexico. It supersedes the Travel Alert for Mexico dated August 20, 2009, and expires on August 20, 2010.

"While millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year (including tens of thousands who cross the land border every day for study, tourism or business and nearly one million U.S. citizens who live in Mexico), violence in the country has increased. It is imperative that U.S. citizens understand the risks in Mexico, how best to avoid dangerous situations, and whom to contact if one becomes a crime victim. Common-sense precautions such as visiting only legitimate business and tourist areas during daylight hours, and avoiding areas where prostitution and drug dealing might occur, can help ensure that travel to Mexico is safe and enjoyable.

"Recent violent attacks have caused the U.S. Embassy to urge U.S. citizens to delay unnecessary travel to parts of Michoacán, Durango, Coahuila and Chihuahua and to advise U.S. citizens residing or traveling in those areas to exercise extreme caution. Drug cartels and associated criminal elements have retaliated violently against individuals who speak out against them or whom they otherwise view as a threat to their organization. These attacks include the abduction and murder of two resident U.S. citizens in Chihuahua.

Mexico - On February 24 the U.S. Consulate General in Monterrey issued the following Warden Message: "The U.S. Consulate General in Monterrey wishes to advise American citizens of the following security information forwarded by the U.S. Consulates General in Nuevo Laredo and Matamoros. Due to several gun battles in Reynosa and Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, in recent days, the U.S. Consulate General in Monterrey urges all U.S. citizens to avoid travel to those cities.

"There were reports of ongoing gun battles in Nuevo Laredo starting at International Bridge #2 on the evening of February 19, and later moving into other parts of the City of Nuevo Laredo. Throughout February 22 through 23, there have been gunfights or rumors of gunfights in various parts of the City of Nuevo Laredo. There have also been confirmed gunfights in the city of Reynosa. Gunfights in Nuevo Laredo are believed to have involved the Mexican Army and narcotics trafficking organizations.

"U.S. citizens are advised to take the above information into consideration when making any decisions concerning travel from the Monterrey consular district to Texas by road. U.S. citizens should also stay current with media coverage of events in the Texas border region."

Thailand - - On February 19 the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok issued the following Warden Message: "This message alerts U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Thailand that there are indications that political demonstrations may take place leading up to, on, or after the February 26 Supreme Court ruling on the case of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's financial assets. Over the next few weeks, U.S. citizens should pay close attention to public sources of information, including media reporting and the U.S. Embassy website, concerning events on the streets of Bangkok. U.S. citizens should avoid demonstrations and large-scale political activities. "We wish to remind U.S. citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. U.S. citizens are urged to avoid the area of the demonstrations and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations."