Think twice a couple of tropical getaway to the Caribbean this winter.
The U.S. embassy within the Bahamas has released a security warning and travel advisory that the island nation is currently unsafe for tourists amidst 18 murders — “primarily” motivated by gang violence — in January alone.
Safety concerns have reached some extent of severity where U.S. officials say people shouldn’t even attempt to “physically resist” being robbed.
“Murders have occurred in any respect hours including in broad daylight on the streets,” the embassy wrote in a release, also recommending using “extreme caution” on the eastern side of the Bahamas’ capital city of Nassau.
The embassy also says that Americans ought to be especially vigilant at nighttime and “keep a low profile” all the time.
The U.S. State Department, which on Friday put the Bahamas on an “exercise increased caution” warning, noted that the danger persists in tourist and non-tourist areas.
Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis addressed the frightening violence last week, saying that there might be roadblocks and covert police motion initiated to contain the crisis, in accordance with the Nassau Guardian.
“This may occasionally make you late to your appointments, or delay plans you could have, but it is a small price to pay for the collective advantage of having our streets made safer, and our lives less blighted by murder and other violent crimes,” he said.
There may be also concern over unregulated recreational watercraft activities, which in accordance with the state department will not be properly regulated or maintained for safety, and improper judgment has been used previously by boaters.
“Business watercraft operators have discretion to operate their vessels no matter weather forecasts; injuries and fatalities have occurred.”
Earlier this week, the State Department also put nearby Jamaica on a level three of 4 “reconsider travel” advisory — the one higher threat being a “don’t travel” warning.
“Violent crimes, comparable to home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides, are common,” the department warns.
“Sexual assaults occur regularly, including at all-inclusive resorts.”
