Haiti has been reclassified at the highest level of dangerous countries by the U.S. administration, which strongly advises American citizens against traveling to the country or any other Level 4 destinations.
Alongside Haiti, 20 other countries are on the list, including Afghanistan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Myanmar, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, North Korea, Russia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Yemen.
These countries are classified as Level 4 by the U.S. Department of State, which warns American travelers to avoid all travel due to high risks related to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health issues, potential natural disasters, and ongoing events, according to a travel advisory issued by the U.S. Department of State.
The Department of State reviews Level 1 and 2 advisories annually, while more critical Level 3 and 4 advisories are reassessed every six months. “A travel advisory will also be updated whenever there is a change in the U.S. government’s stance, usually concerning ongoing security concerns,” the Department stated, as cited by Mirror US.
The U.S. government published this list just days after Fritz Alphonse Jean was appointed head of the Transitional Presidential Council, replacing Leslie Voltaire.
Several political and civil society organizations had requested that the U.S. administration classify the Viv Ansanm gang as a terrorist organization. No decision has been made in this regard by the U.S. government, which issued this advisory as Haitian law enforcement continues to intensify pressure on armed gangs.
Several large-scale operations have been carried out recently, resulting in the deaths of multiple gang members, according to officials from the Haitian National Police.
The 23 countries and regions under a Level 3 advisory—where American travelers are advised to reconsider their plans due to serious security concerns—include Bangladesh, Burundi, Chad, Colombia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica, Macau, Mauritania, Mozambique, New Caledonia, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, and Vanuatu.
Countries classified as Level 2, where travelers are advised to exercise increased caution due to elevated security risks, include the Turks and Caicos Islands. This week, the Department of State issued a Level 2 travel advisory for the Turks and Caicos Islands, warning vacationers to be particularly vigilant due to crime-related concerns. With spring break approaching, travelers are advised to “exercise increased caution.” According to the advisory, most criminal activity is concentrated in Providenciales, located in the northwest of the Caicos archipelago. The Department of State noted that local police may have “limited investigative resources.”
Countries classified as Level 1, where travelers are advised to take normal precautions, are considered the least risky. However, the Department of State emphasizes that all international travel carries risks, requiring vigilance even in safer regions.
