US urge tourists to avoid visiting Caribbean nation amid state of emergency

The US State Department is urging tourists not to visit Caribbean countries following the declaration of a state of emergency.

A ‘Level Four: No Travel’ advisory The measure for Haiti has been in effect since March due to the ongoing civil war, gang violence and riots in the country.

But on September 18, the U.S. State Department updated the advisory to detail the risks of travel, including kidnapping, mob violence and armed robbery.

They wrote: ‘Kidnapping is widespread and American citizens have been victimized, injured, or killed. Kidnappers may plan carefully or select victims at random, unplanned times. Kidnappers will even attack convoys.

‘Kidnapping cases often involve ransom demands. Families of victims have paid thousands of dollars to rescue their relatives.’

Crossing the Haiti-Dominican Republic border overland is extremely risky, as travelers can face hefty immigration fines and threats of kidnapping and violence, as the roads are where these types of incidents are most likely to occur. Pictured: People trek through the mountains to avoid gang violence in the Kenscoff neighborhood of Port-au-Prince, Haiti on September 10

A ‘hotbed’ of carjackings and armed robberies has been concentrated at the Aeroport International Toussaint Louverture in the municipality of Port-Au-Prince – often targeting single drivers and women. Pictured: People evacuated from Haiti by a U.S. helicopter arriving at Las Americas Airport in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on March 22

They also say that crowd violence has increased, leading to an increase in deaths and attacks.

A “hotspot” of these attacks is concentrated at Toussaint Louverture International Airport in the municipality of Port-Au-Prince.

Armed robberies and car thefts are likely at the international airport, with lone drivers and women often targeted, according to the department.

The warning is disturbing and states that the US government can do little for its citizens in Haiti due to a general lack of resources.

Even US personnel are subject to a curfew, which prohibits them from using public transportation, visiting banks or ATMs, driving or traveling anywhere at night, and going outside without prior authorization and proper security measures.

Crossing the Haiti-Dominican Republic border overland is extremely risky. Travelers may face high immigration fines and the threat of kidnapping and violence. These types of incidents most often occur on the road.

The latest massacre came after Haiti’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry flew to Kenya to persuade the African country to expedite its UN-approved donation of 1,000 police officers to restore law and order in Haiti. Pictured: Ariel Henry during a public lecture at the US International University in Nairobi, Kenya on March 1

Powerful gang leader Jimmy “Barbeque” Cherizier began his campaign of terror on February 29, claiming responsibility for gangs storming two of the country’s largest prisons and freeing 4,000 inmates. Pictured: Former police officer Jimmy “Barbeque” Cherizier (center), leader of the “G9” gang alliance, is flanked by gang members after a press conference in Delmas 6, Port-au-Prince, Haiti on March 5

The recent massacre came after Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry flew to Kenya to convince the African country to speed up the UN-approved donation of 1,000 police officers to help restore order in Haiti and rid it of gangs by the end of February.

Powerful gang leader Jimmy “Barbeque” Cherizier began his campaign of terror on February 29, after claiming responsibility for gangs that stormed two of the country’s largest prisons and freed 4,000 inmates, before setting fire to government buildings and attacking a dozen police stations.

Cherizier said his goal was to block Henry’s return and to arrest police officers and government officials.

Even after securing the 1,000 police officers from Kenya, Henry was still unable to return to Kenya. Weeks later, he would resign from his post.

Now the government has fallen apart.

The warning was issued six months after social media star YourFellowArab was taken hostage in Haiti by one of the gangs that have become de facto leaders of the violence plaguing the Caribbean island.

YourFellowArab, whose real name is Addison Pierre Maalouf, was on the island to interview the man popularly known as Jimmy “Barbecue” Cerisier, the country’s most powerful gang leader.

On March 14, Maalouf was captured by a gang known as the 400 Mawozo, led by kingpin Lanmo 100 jou, who is on the FBI most wanted list. Maalouf was held for a $600,000 ransom.

Since the massacre began, 8,400 people have been killed, wounded or abducted. Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect reported.

Five million Haitians are facing acute hunger, 1.6 million are at risk of starvation and more than 580,000 people are currently displaced.