Travel warning

Kenya: Political Crisis, Violence Continue

Date: January 30th, 2008 |

Violence stemming from Kenya’s disputed presidential election continued to plague the country, especially in the Rift Valley. Naivasha, a town popular with tourists and expatriates just 55 miles northwest of Nairobi, was overrun by murderous gangs over the weekend and tourists had to be escorted to Nairobi from nearby lodges. The killing of an opposition [read more]

Pakistan: Emergency Rule Creates Uncertainty

Date: November 9th, 2007 |

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A political crisis triggered by President Pervez Musharraf’s declaring a state of emergency has created a volatile situation whose course is uncertain. The move suspended the country’s constitution and shut down the judicial system. Demonstrations by lawyers and others opposing the president’s action have been met with force, and thousands of lawyers were arrested. Demonstrations [read more]

Guatemala: Child-Stealing Rumors Cause Violence

Date: July 25th, 2007 |

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Rumors of child stealing in rural areas periodically come to a boil, and when tensions are high even the most innocent interaction with local children can place a visitor in danger. On July 1 two foreigners (including one American) and a Guatemalan kayaking on a river near Chicaman, Quiche were seized by a mob because [read more]

Worldwide: Traffic Accidents Top Cause of Death for American Tourists

Date: May 2nd, 2007 |

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When traveling abroad, Americans worry about disease, terrorism, robbers with guns, but one thing that seldom concerns them is dying in a traffic accident. It turns out that such accidents are the leading cause of death for Americans traveling overseas. U.S. State Department data analyzed by the Make Roads Safe Campaign show that about one-third [read more]

Algeria: Security Risks Outside Urban Areas

Date: December 6th, 2006 |

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The U.S. State Department updated its travel warning to note that security risks are significant, especially in rural and remote areas, and overland travel between major cities should be avoided. Security in most urban areas is good, although three terrorist attacks did occur in Algiers’ eastern suburbs in October. The Algerian government requires U.S. Embassy [read more]

France, Portugal, Mauritania, Senegal: Dakar Rally Canceled

Date: January 10th, 2008 |

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The Christmas Eve murders of four French tourists in Mauritania has prompted organizers of the Dakar Rally to cancel this year’s race. The rally was scheduled to start in Lisbon Jan. 5 and finish in Dakar, Senegal Jan. 20. Race officials faced pressure from the French government to call off the rally because nine of [read more]

Dubai: Zero Tolerance on Drug Possession

Date: August 2nd, 2007 |

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Possession of tiny amounts of illegal drugs means a jail sentence in the zero-tolerance United Arab Emirates, as evidenced by two Britons sentenced to four-year jail terms in Dubai in June. One was carrying 0.11 grams (0.004 ounces) of hashish, while the other, arrested two weeks later, had 1.18 grams (0.04 ounces). The law here [read more]

Argentina: No Radar for Air Traffic Control

Date: May 16th, 2007 |

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Argentina’s only certified air traffic control radar was struck by lightning March 1 and is still broken, leaving the country without functioning radar to track flights in its airspace. Since then controllers have been guiding planes using information radioed by pilots. There reportedly have been five near-collisions since March 9; according to the president of [read more]

East Africa: Ongoing Terrorist Threat

Date: January 10th, 2007 |

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The U.S. State Department has reissued its public announcement alerting travelers to the continuing potential for terrorist actions in the region, especially along the coast, and to the risks of piracy near the horn of Africa. The conflict in Somalia may prompt al-Qaeda operatives to flee the country and attempt to relocate elsewhere in the [read more]

Egypt: Terrorist Threat in Sinai

Date: September 5th, 2006 |

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Australia’s Foreign Affairs Department warned its citizens to travel with a high degree of caution, especially in the Sinai, because it continues to receive reports that terrorists are planning attacks there. Sharm-el-Sheikh and other resorts are believed to be targets. The department’s advisory states that “further attacks can be expected.” Israeli security officials also warned [read more]