Travelers planning to visit the popular Caribbean destination of Trinidad and Tobago are being urged to reconsider their plans following a new advisory issued by the U.S. State Department.
The advisory highlights increased risks in certain areas of Trinidad and Tobago due to terrorism and kidnapping. It specifically prohibits U.S. government personnel from visiting several areas in the capital city, Port of Spain.
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“Gang activity, such as narcotics trafficking, is common. A significant portion of violent crime is gang-related,” the State Department stated in its advisory. It further noted that violence and shootings occur regularly in some parts of Port of Spain.
Previously:
- The U.S. warned travelers about visiting a dangerous South American country.
- The U.S. issued a travel warning for a major European country over fears of terrorist activity.
“Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas,” the advisory cautioned.
Trinidad and Tobago, located in the Caribbean north of eastern Venezuela, is part of the British Commonwealth. The nation, similar in size to Delaware, has a population of about 1.4 million.
For those who still choose to travel to Trinidad and Tobago, the State Department offers the following recommendations:
- 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, Twitter, and Instagram.
- Review the State Department’s Country Security Report for Trinidad and Tobago.
- Be aware of your surroundings and exercise caution when walking or driving at night.
- Avoid displaying overt signs of wealth, such as expensive watches or jewelry.
- Be extra vigilant when visiting ATMs.
- Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your plans based on new information.
- Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
Approximately 10,000 U.S. citizens visit Trinidad and Tobago each year for vacation or business, and more than 12,500 American citizens are residents.
