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/

Afghanistan - On May 25 the U.S. Department of state issued an updated Travel Warning for Afghanistan, which reads in part: "The Department of State warns U.S. citizens against travel to Afghanistan. The security threat to all U.S. citizens in Afghanistan remains critical. This supersedes the Travel Warning for Afghanistan issued July 23, 2009, to remind U.S. citizens of ongoing security risks, including kidnapping, and to include an email address for the consular section at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul.

"No part of Afghanistan should be considered immune from violence, and the potential exists throughout the country for hostile acts, either targeted or random, against American and other Western nationals at anytime. Remnants of the former Taliban regime and the al-Qa'ida terrorist network, as well as other groups hostile to International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)/NATO military operations, remain active. There is an ongoing threat to kidnap and assassinate U.S. citizens and Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) workers throughout the country. Afghan authorities have a limited ability to maintain order and ensure the security of Afghan citizens and visitors. Travel in all areas of Afghanistan is unsafe due to military combat operations, landmines, banditry, armed rivalry between political and tribal groups, and the possibility of terrorist attacks, including attacks using vehicular and other improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The security environment remains volatile and unpredictable.

"Riots and incidents of civil disturbance can and do occur, often without warning. U.S. citizens should avoid rallies and demonstrations; even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. "Carjacking, robberies, and violent crime remain a problem. U.S. citizens involved in property disputes, common legal problem, have reported that their adversaries in the disputes have threatened their lives. U.S. citizens who find themselves in such situations cannot assume that either local law enforcement of the U.S. Embassy will be able to assist them. "From time to time, depending on current security conditions, the U.S. Embassy places area frequented by foreigners off limits to its personnel. Potential target areas include key national or international government establishments, international organizations and other locations with expatriates personnel, and public areas popular with the expatriate community. Private U.S. citizens are strongly urged to heed these restrictions as well and may obtain the latest information by consultant the embassy website…"

Dominican Republic - On May 24 the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo issued the following Warden Message: "The U.S. Embassy is transmitting the following warden Message to remind U.S. citizens that June to November is hurricane season and that the Dominican Republic is subject to seasonal storms. Minor storms can develop into hurricanes quickly, limiting the time available for departure of locating a safe haven. U.S. citizens are encouraged to review the Department of State's "Hurricane Season & Know Before You Go" at www.travel.state.gov and the National Weather Service website at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ and http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

"In the event of a storm, U.S. citizens should monitor local radio, the National Weather Service at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov, and local media to stay aware of any weather developments in their area. For official information from the Dominican Government regarding weather conditions, please visit the ONAMET website at http://www.onamet.gov.do. The Dominican Emergency Operations Center (COE) website can be found at www.coe.gov.do. Travelers should apprise family and friends in the United States of their whereabouts, and keep in close contact with their tour operator, hotel staff, and local officials for instructions in the event of a weather emergency. Travelers should also protect their travel and identity documents against loss or damage, as the need to replace lost documentation could hamper or delay return to the United States.

"U.S. citizens resident in the Dominican Republic should prepare in advance for hurricanes by maintaining a stock of bottled water, non-perishable food items, a battery-powered radio, vital identity documents stored in a waterproof container/bag, and prescription medications. U.S. citizens should ensure the family's passports have not expired. While the U.S. Embassy will make every effort to assist Americans in crisis, local authorities are primarily responsible for the welfare of people in their jurisdictions. U.S. citizens should monitor local radio, the Embassy website, and other media to stay aware of the weather developments in their area.

Jamaica - On May 24 the U.S. Embassy in Kingston issued the following Warden Message: "The Embassy alerts U.S. citizens of escalating violence, shootings and unrest in a number of neighborhoods in the Kingston and Spanish Town areas. The Embassy encourages American citizens in the Kingston and Spanish Town areas to stay at home until an all clear has been announced in the local media. Because of the instability of the situation, American are advised to defer non-essential travel to the greater Kingston area. Access to the Norman Manley International Airport has been blocked on an intermittent basis by gun battles between criminal elements and police.

Americans are also urged to avoid the following areas where gun violence has occurred over the last 24 hours: 1) Mountain View Road; 2) Grants Pen; 3) Red Hills and the areas of unrest in Spanish Town. The Government of Jamaica has imposed a State of Emergency in Kingston and St. Andrew. The possibility exists that unrest could spread beyond the general Kingston area. U.S. Embassy Kingston is taking extra security precautions. U.S. citizens presently in Jamaica should monitor local news and radio frequently. Routine Consular Services, such as visa and non-emergency U.S. citizens' service appointments, are being suspended for May 25. Americans traveling to or from the Norman Manley Airport should use the South Camp Road route. U.S. citizens are urged to exercise heightened security awareness and maintain a low profile during this State of Emergency. U.S. citizens in Jamaica are advised to monitor local news reports and consider the level of security present when venturing outside their residence or hotel.

Mexico - On May 21 the U.S. Consulate General in Hermosillo issued the following Warden Message: "This Warden Message is issued to encourage U.S. citizens to use extreme caution when traveling on Mexican Federal Highway 15 between Hermosillo and Nogales. It is an update of the warden message issued on May 11, 2010. While a general increased threat to travelers on the highway between Hermosillo and Nogales continues to exists, U.S. consulate employees are permitted once again to travel on Highway 15. When travelling for work purposes, employees must use an armored vehicle. For personal travel, it is recommended employees travel with others, so that at least two vehicles are traveling together at a time. Also, employees' travel along the highway is restricted to daylight hours. U.S. citizens traveling through northern Mexico should exercise caution. Review of recent violence indicates that although criminal acts can occur unexpectedly at any time of day, overall it is safer to travel during the morning and early afternoon hours.

Nigeria - On May 24 the U.S. Department of State issued an updated Travel Warning for Nigeria, which reads in part as follows: "The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Nigeria and continues to recommend U.S. citizens to avoid all but essential travel to the Niger Delta states of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta and the Rivers; the Southeastern states of Abia, Edo, and Imo; and the city of Jos in Plateau States, because of the risks of kidnapping, robbery, and other armed attacks in these areas. Violent crime committed by individuals and gangs, as well as by the persons wearing police and military uniforms, it a problem throughout the country.

This replaces the Travel Warning for Nigeria dates July 17, 2009, to update information on violent activity and crime in Nigeria. Since January 2009, over 111 foreign nationals have been kidnapped in Nigeria, including 18 in 2010. Six foreign nationals were killed in connection with these abductions; two U.S. citizens were killed in separate abduction attempts in Port Harcourt in April 2010.

Local authorities and expatriates businesses operating in Nigeria believe that the number of kidnapping incidents throughout Nigeria is underreported. A loose alliance of militant groups in the Niger Delta region has conducted a number of attacks against oil installations and posts of the Nigerian military's Joint Task Force (JTF), which had attempted to close the militant camps. In June 2009, the Federal Government of Nigeria offered unconditional amnesty to any militant willing to surrender his/her arms and accept the government's amnesty program. While almost all major militant leaders accepted the offer and the amnesty remains in effect, the potential for violence and the risk of kidnapping remains high. Violent incidents involving 'ex-militants' continue.

Travel by foreigners to areas considered by the Nigerian government to be conflict areas without prior consultation and coordination with local security authority is not recommended, as the Nigerian government may see this activity as inappropriate and potentially illegal and it may detain violators. Nigerian authorities detain six U.S. citizens, including journalists, on six occasions, in areas where militant groups had operated in 2008. The Nigerian government interrogated these U.S. citizens for lengthy periods of time without bringing any formal charges before ultimately deporting them. Journalists are required to obtain a special accreditation from the Ministry of Information prior to traveling to conflict areas in the Niger Delta region states.

This special accreditation is in addition to the general press accreditation and a valid Nigerian visa which are required to conduct such activities elsewhere in Nigeria. Many foreign oil companies operating in the Niger Delta states of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers have implemented 'essential travel only' policies for their personnel. The U.S. Mission currently requires advance permission for U.S. government travel to these states, as well as the states of Abia, Edo and Imo, and the city of Jos in Plateau State, given the safety and security risk assessments and the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General's limited ability to provide assistance to people detained by Nigerian authorities in these states. U.S. citizens who are resident in these states are advised to review their personal security in light of the information contained in this Travel Warning. Nigeria is a multi-ethnic, multi-religions society in which different ethnic and religious groups often coexist in the same geographic area.

Travelers throughout the country should be aware that, in areas where such circumstances prevail, there is the potential for ethnic or religions-based disturbances. The States of Bauchi, Borno, and Plateau have experienced violence by fringe sects or inter-ethnic groups in the past year. Violent crime is committed by individuals and gangs, as well as by some persons wearing police and military uniforms, is an ongoing problem throughout the country, especially at night. Visitors and resident U.S, citizens have experienced armed muggings, assaults, burglary, carjacking, rape, kidnapping and extortion - often involving violence. Home invasions remain a serious threat, with armed robbers accessing even guarded compounds by scaling perimeter walls; following, or tailgating, residents or visitors arriving by car into the compound; subduing guards and gaining entry into homes or apartments.

Armed robbers in Lagos also access waterfront compounds by boat. U.S. citizens, as well as Nigerians and other expatriates, have been victims of armed robbery at banks, and grocery stores and on airport roads during both daylight and evening hours. Law enforcement authorities usually respond slowly or not at all, and provide little or no investigative support to victims. U.S. citizens, Nigerians and other expatriates have experienced harassment and shakedowns at checkpoints and during encounters with Nigerian law enforcement officials. Traveling outside of major cities after dark is not recommended due to both crime and road safety concerns.

Pakistan - On May 21 the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad issued the following Warden Message: "This Warden Notice is to alert American citizens that the U.S. Embassy is aware of threat information suggesting that terrorist groups may have established link to the Hanif Raiput Catering Service owned by Mr. Rana Ashraf Khan and his son Mr. Salman Ashraf in Islamabad, Pakistan. As a precautionary measure, U.S. government personnel in Pakistan have been instructed to avoid using this company. We have shared this information with appropriate Pakistani government agencies for their actions. The Embassy reiterates its advice to all U.S. citizens to take measures for their safety and security at all times. The measures include maintaining good situational awareness, avoiding crowds and demonstrations, and keeping a low profile. U.S. citizens should avoid setting patterns by varying times and routes for all required travel. U.S. citizens should ensure that their travel documents and visas are valid at all times.

Thailand - On May 24 the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok issued the following Warden Message: "This warden message alerts U.S. citizens traveling to and residing in Thailand that the Royal Thai Government through the Center for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) has announced that it will impose a shortened curfew for at least one more day and will evaluate the need to extend the curfew on a day-to-day basis. To find out if the Royal Thai Government has extended the curfew, please refer to local media.

"The curfew is in place starting May 24 from 11p to 4a. This curfew applies to the Bangkok metropolitan area and to the Thai provinces listed below. Royal Thai Government officials may change this list after this Warden Message is sent out, so please refer to media or local officials for the latest information. Reports indicate that troops have authority to shoot on site in response to acts of inciting unrest. American citizens should maintain a low profile and refrain from nighttime outside activities until the situation improves. If you will be flying out of Bangkok in the next several days, we recommend that you leave for the airport well in advance of the curfew hours. If you are arriving at a Bangkok airport during curfew hours, we recommend that you stay at the airport until curfew hours.

Reports indicate that Airports of Thailand (AOT) may coordinate transportation for passengers from Suvarnabhumi Airport to a few central locations in Bangkok during curfew hours. However, they are evaluating providing this service on a day-to-day basis. Passengers may not be able to find any transportation from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok during curfew hours and may need to wait until after curfew hours to go to Bangkok. Since May 15, 2010, the Department of State has advised U.S. citizens to avoid all travel to Bangkok and all non-essential travel to the rest of Thailand. You should review the Department's most recent Travel Warning for Thailand