Washington has updated its travel alerts and recommends to US citizens in its new warning of "Reconsider travel to Haiti" while lowering the alert level for Haiti to Level 4 (maximum level recommending not to travel to Haiti https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26948-haiti-flash-usa-raises-to-maximum-travel-advisory-levels-for-haiti.html ) to level 3

"Reconsider travel to Haiti due to crime, civil unrest, and kidnapping.

[...] Protests, tire burning, and road blockages are frequent and unpredictable. Violent crime, such as armed robbery, is common, and incidents of kidnapping have occurred. Local police may lack the resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents, and emergency response, including ambulance service, is limited or non-existent.

Travelers are sometimes targeted, followed, and violently attacked and robbed shortly after leaving the Port-au-Prince international airport [...]

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in some areas of Haiti. The Embassy discourages its personnel from walking in most neighborhoods [...]

If you decide to travel to Haiti:

• Avoid demonstrations. Do not attempt to drive through roadblocks.

• Arrange airport transfers and hotels in advance, or have your host meet you upon arrival.

• Be careful about providing your destination address in Haiti. Do not provide personal information to unauthorized individuals located in the immigration, customs, or other areas inside or near any airports in Haiti.

• As you leave the airport, make sure you are not being followed. If you notice you are being followed, drive to the nearest police station immediately.

• Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.

• Purchase travel insurance and medical evacuation insurance ahead of time.

• Review information on Travel to High-Risk Areas.

• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.

• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.

• Review the Overseas Security Advisory Council report on Haiti.

• U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.

HL/ HaitiLibre