WASHINGTON, CMC – The United States government urges Americans to “consider departing Haiti now” as it issued a Level 4 advisory for the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country.
“Do not travel to Haiti due to kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and poor health care infrastructure. U.S. citizens in Haiti should consider departing Haiti now by commercial or other privately available transportation options in light of the current security situation and infrastructure challenges. U.S. citizens wishing to depart Port-au-Prince should monitor local news and only do so when considered safe,” said the U.S. State Department.
It said kidnapping is widespread, and victims regularly include U.S. citizens.
“Kidnappers may use sophisticated planning or take advantage of unexpected opportunities, and even convoys have been attacked. Kidnapping cases often involve ransom negotiations, and U.S. citizen victims have been physically harmed during kidnappings. Victim’s families have paid thousands of dollars to rescue their family members,” it said.
The State Department said violent crimes, such as armed robbery, carjackings, and kidnappings for ransom that include American citizens, are common.
“Mob killings against presumed criminals have increased since late April. Travelers are sometimes followed and violently attacked and robbed shortly after leaving the Port-au-Prince international airport. Robbers and carjackers also attack private vehicles stuck in heavy traffic congestion, often targeting lone drivers, particularly women. As a result, the U.S. Embassy requires its personnel to use official transportation to and from the airport,”’ the statement said.
Last week, the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, described Haiti as a “tragic situation,” noting that several people have been killed, several cannot live their lives, and the country faces dramatic food insecurity.
The U.N. Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) said in April alone, more than 600 people were killed in violence in the country’s capital. This follows the killing of at least 846 people in the first three months of 2023.
BINUH said that overall, the number of victims of killings, injuries, and kidnappings increased by 28 percent in the first quarter of the year, with 1,634 cases reported.
In its advisory, Washington said that protests, demonstrations, tire burning, and roadblocks are frequent, unpredictable, and can turn violent. The “U.S. government is “extremely limited in its ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Haiti.”
It warned U.S. citizens that should they decide to travel to Haiti, avoid demonstrations and crowds and not attempt to drive through roadblocks.
It listed several measures American citizens should take while in Haiti and purchasing travel insurance and medical evacuation insurance ahead of time.
and then 