- Prime Minister Philip Davis said the killings were “not a reflection of the overall security” in the Bahamas
- The US recently issued two warnings about increased crime in the country
- In January alone, 18 murders were reported in the country, with retaliatory gang violence the main motive
The Bahamas government has hit back at US travel warnings, saying it remains a “safe and welcoming” destination despite recording 18 murders in January.
Officials said the country is “alert, attentive and proactive” to ensure the popular tourist spot remains safe.
“The Bahamas rating has not changed; we remain a Level 2 next to most tourist destinations,” Prime Minister Philip Davis said.
“The incidents described in the January 2024 U.S. Embassy Crime Alert do not reflect overall safety in The Bahamas, a country with sixteen (16) tourist destinations, and many more islands.
The statement came Tuesday after the U.S. State Department twice warned visitors about crimes taking place “in broad daylight.”
Officials in the Bahamas have insisted the country is safe, even as the US government urges travelers to exercise caution amid a wave of killings
But the U.S. Embassy warned American travelers about the risks of visiting the Bahamas
The most recent update was to the travel advisory urging visitors to “exercise more caution due to crime” in the Bahamas.
Before that, a “security alert” was issued by the US Embassy on January 24, warning travelers to “exercise extreme caution” when in Nassau, following 18 murders in the city since January 1.
The alert warned that killings were largely due to gang violence “at all hours, including in broad daylight on the streets.”
Officials have asked tourists not to physically resist any robbery attempt and not to open their doors to unknown people at any hotel or place of residence.
But Davis added that his administration is implementing “a robust and innovative crime control and prevention strategy.”
“This comprehensive approach is based on the latest research and successful international models, focusing on five key pillars: prevention, detection, prosecution, punishment and rehabilitation,” he said.
“Our law enforcement agencies are taking rigorous steps to uphold our well-deserved reputation, including increased police presence and additional police resources (including facial recognition video surveillance technology) and training.
‘We have a zero-tolerance policy on firearms possession and a dedicated magistrate who deals with firearms offences.’
Since the beginning of 2024, a spike in violent crimes, including burglaries, armed robberies and sexual violence, has been recorded in both tourist and non-tourist areas
Despite last month’s wave of killings, officials in the Caribbean country hailed 2023 as a “boom year for tourism.”
Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper spoke at an event in Tallahassee, Florida, hosted by the Florida Federation of Alpha Chapters, promoting the Bahamas to the fraternity group.
“The year 2023 was a banner year for tourism that brought us an unprecedented 8 million visitor numbers,” he said.
But there were additional warnings to tourists that activities involving commercial pleasure craft, including water tours, are not consistently regulated.
“Personal watercraft may be poorly maintained and some operators may not have safety certifications. Always check and follow local weather and maritime warnings before engaging in water activities,” the U.S. Embassy advisory said.
‘Never swim alone, regardless of your age or swimming skill level. Stay within your fitness and swimming capabilities.
‘Please be aware of sharks when swimming and participating in water activities as there have been recent fatal and non-fatal incidents involving sharks.’