On 5 March 2020, the U.S. Department of State issued an updated Travel Advisory for Haiti and raised the level of advice to “Level 4: Do Not Travel” from “Level 3: Reconsider Travel.” The updated advisory reads in part as follows:
“Do not travel to Haiti due to crime, civil unrest, and kidnapping.
“Country Summary: Violent crime, such as armed robbery and carjacking, is common. Kidnapping is widespread. Kidnappers may use sophisticated planning or take advantage of unplanned opportunities. Victims have included U.S. citizens.
“Demonstrations, tire burning, and roadblocks are frequent, unpredictable, and can turn violent. Local police may lack the resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents. Emergency response, including ambulance service, is limited or non-existent.
“Travelers are sometimes followed and violently attacked and robbed shortly after leaving the Port-au-Prince international airport. The U.S. Embassy requires its personnel to use official transportation to and from the airport. Robbers and carjackers have attacked private vehicles stuck in heavy traffic congestion and often target lone drivers, particularly women driving alone.”
The full text of the advisory can be found here.
