US State Department Issues Level 4 Travel Warning on Haiti

By Jorge Coromina

The U.S. State Department (USSD) has issued a Level 4 (Do Not Travel) advisory on Haiti, thus warning American citizens to avoid traveling to the riot-riddled Caribbean island.

According to the travel advisory posted on the USSD’s website, “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.”

The travel warning also speaks of common tire burning and roadblocks and the local police’s lack of resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents. The report also indicates that 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 USSD travel advisory reads on.