Caribbean

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands: Security Increased in Wake of Tourist Killing, Suspect in Custody

Date: July 21st, 2010 |

Authorities bolstered security in tourist areas throughout the island after the shooting death of a teenage Carnival Cruise Lines passenger July 12. The security measures included increased police foot and mobile patrols, upgraded surveillance equipment and 24-hour camera monitoring. One suspect was arrested after turning himself in to police and further arrests were [read more]

Puerto Rico: Dengue Fever on the Rise

Date: July 7th, 2010 |

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Hemorrhagic dengue fever claimed its third victim this year, prompting the health secretary to issue a warning that the island could face its worst outbreak ever if people didn’t destroy mosquito breeding areas. Puerto Rico experienced unusually heavy rainfall in May and June, which could be contributing to an increase in standing water that is [read more]

Jamaica: Police Storm Kingston Slum to Root Out Drug Lord

Date: May 26th, 2010 |

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The government’s attempt to extradite a suspected drug lord to the U.S. erupted in significant violence in Kingston May 23 when security forces had to storm his stronghold to try to take him into custody. At least 30 people were killed in gun battles and violence spread to nearby Spanish Town where a major road [read more]

Cuba: Cuba Now Requires Health Insurance for Tourists, But Will Sell Policies for a Latte a Day

Date: May 5th, 2010 |

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On May 1 Cuba began requiring visitors to carry valid health insurance or buy a Cuban policy on arrival. Because of the U.S.’s 48-year trade embargo, Cuba does not accept American insurance policies, so Americans have to purchase local coverage. The cost, however, will be a big surprise: roughly $3 a day for up to [read more]

St. Lucia: Norwegian Cruise Lines Still Undecided About Cruises to St. Lucia

Date: February 10th, 2010 |

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World Travel Watch reported last week that Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) had removed St. Lucia from its cruise itineraries in the 2011-12 season, but that is not the case. St. Lucia officials and NCL had discussions about including St. Lucia on those itineraries, but no decision was made. NCL expects to announce its 2011-12 itineraries [read more]

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands: Drug Violence Claims Life of 14-year-old Tourist

Date: July 14th, 2010 |

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A 14-year-old tourist from Puerto Rico on a shore excursion from a Carnival Cruise Lines ship was killed in a drug gang gun battle July 12. While the incident was a tragic case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, it underscored a growing problem in the Virgin Islands where gun violence [read more]

Haiti: Armed Robberies Targeting Passengers from U.S. Prompt Warning

Date: June 30th, 2010 |

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A number of recent robberies of travelers arriving from the U.S. at Port-au-Prince’s Toussaint Louverture International Airport prompted the U.S. Embassy to warn visitors to be careful when arranging transport from the airport. Four U.S. citizens were killed in separate robberies over the last three months in three different locations when criminals followed them from [read more]

Cuba: More Golf Coming to the Island

Date: May 12th, 2010 |

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Fidel loved baseball but clearly he has not been a fan of golf, because Cuba currently has only two golf courses, the other ten eliminated by the revolution in 1959. That is going to change soon, however, because the tourism ministry announced a new policy to allow foreign companies to build new tourism facilities in [read more]

Cayman Islands: Crime Increase Prompts Government to Call in the Brits

Date: April 28th, 2010 |

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The crime rate here is low compared to many Caribbean islands, but it has increased enough to prompt authorities to bring in British police to bolster the local force and clamp down on violent gangs. The British territory of 55,000 people has had five murders, a kidnapping, armed robberies and shootings this year. Officials plan [read more]

St. Lucia: Officials to Increase Safety for Tourists, Engage Marginalized Communities

Date: February 3rd, 2010 |

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Tourism officials vowed to increase safety for tourists following a decision by Norwegian Cruise Lines to remove the island from its itineraries in the 2011-2012 season. The company dropped St. Lucia because of three attacks on cruise passengers in 2009. Tourism officials will work with police to reduce crime, including launching a public awareness campaign [read more]