Urban violence

Mexico: Possible Retaliatory Attacks in Puerto Vallarta

Date: September 1st, 2010 |

Following the detonation of a hand grenade in a bar popular with locals near, but outside the main tourist area of Puerto Vallarta Aug. 25, the U.S. Consulate General in Guadalajara issued a warning about two other establishments that might be targeted for retaliatory attacks: La Vaquita Grill located at Lazaro Cardenas #567, El Pitillal, [read more]

Colombia: Medellín Drug Violence Returning

Date: June 16th, 2010 |

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Medellín may be reverting to its old, violent ways. The city once known for drug king Pablo Escobar and narcotics violence went through a renaissance and became one of Colombia’s most popular and cultured cities, often referred to as the Miracle of Medellín. But now drug gangs are fighting a turf war in Comuna 13, [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]

Mexico: Drug Violence Comes to Cuernavaca

Date: May 5th, 2010 |

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The drug violence that has plagued the U.S.-Mexico border region and Mexico’s coastal areas recently spread into the heart of Mexico, erupting in the usually quiet city of Cuernavaca. Rivals have been fighting for control of a notorious drug cartel following the death of the group’s boss in a marine raid in December, and in [read more]

Serbia: U.S. Embassy Calls 7 Belgrade Bars and Clubs Off-Limits

Date: November 4th, 2009 |

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Belgrade is considered a generally safe city, but the U.S. Embassy issued a list of establishments there that Embassy personnel and travelers should avoid because of repeated violent incidents. The seven bars and clubs are Stefan Braun, Vanila next to the SPS office building, H2O boat restaurant behind Hotel Jugoslavija, Mistik below Tasmajdan park, Blaywatch, [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]

Italy: Fake Goods Carry Hefty Price; Thuggery on the Rise in Rome

Date: June 9th, 2010 |

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It’s hard to resist a bargain, especially if it strolls right up to you on the beach, but an Austrian tourist discovered the true cost of buying a fake Louis Vuitton purse from a vendor when she was hit with a 1,000 euro ($1,195) fine for buying a $13 knockoff. The beach vendors, often Senegalese [read more]

Thailand: Armed Forces Breach Bangkok Red-Shirt Barricades

Date: May 19th, 2010 |

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Thai armed forces mounted an all-day operation May 19 to clear protesters from their encampment in downtown Bangkok, breaching the barricades with armored vehicles. The situation is fluid and may unfold over several days, with violence [read more]

India: Curfew Imposed in Hyderabad Over Communal Violence

Date: March 31st, 2010 |

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Three days of Hindu-Muslim clashes that erupted over an argument about flags for a religious festival caused two deaths, at least 80 injuries and a curfew in Hyderabad, a city in South India where global technology companies have a major presence. The riots took place in the old city away from the technology centers, but [read more]

Israel: Troubles Continue at Jerusalem’s Temple Mount

Date: October 29th, 2009 |

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Two weeks of quiet around the Temple Mount in Jerusalem ended Oct. 25 when stone-throwing Arab youths clashed with police, then took refuge inside Al-Aksa Mosque. Authorities closed the Temple Mount following the riots but reopened it the next day. Conflict over the past month at the site that is sacred to both Muslims and [read more]