Central African Republic (CAR)

The US Department of State warns travelers of the risks of traveling to the Central African Republic (CAR), and recommends against all but essential travel outside the capital, Bangui. Travelers in CAR should exercise extreme caution.

Armed rebel groups, bandits, and poachers present real dangers and the Central African government is unable to guarantee the safety of visitors in most parts of the country.  There have been repeated attacks on Central African and expatriate travelers in the countryside. Poachers and armed men also pose a threat to game hunters in the north central CAR. The LRA poses a similar threat to hunters in eastern CAR.

Bangui itself, though safer, suffers from elevated crime rates, petty and violent, as well as particularly limited transport and medical options. CAR military and civilian security forces (and people posing as such) staff checkpoints throughout the city, frequently harassing local and expatriate travelers for bribes.

Travellers should avoid public demonstrations because even those intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.

Eritrea

The U.S. Department of State continues to warn travelers of the risks of travel to Eritrea and recommends that they defer all travel there because of Eritrean government restrictions on travel outside the capital city of Asmara, an increased number of U.S. citizens arrested without clear justification, and heightened tensions along Eritrea's borders with Ethiopia and Djibouti. 

The Eritrean government continues to restrict the travel of all foreign nationals, including resident diplomats.  These restrictions require all visitors and residents to apply 10 days in advance for permission to travel outside the Asmara city limits.  As a result, the U.S. Embassy cannot provide emergency consular assistance outside of Asmara. 

Travelers are strongly advised to avoid travel near the Eritrean-Ethiopian border and to the Southern Red Sea region, including the port of Assab.They should be aware of the presence of large numbers of Eritrean and Ethiopian troops along the Eritrean-Ethiopian border, and acute political tensions between the two countries. 

Colombia

The Department of State warns travelers of the dangers of travel to Colombia.  While security in Colombia has improved significantly in recent years, violence by narco-terrorist groups continues to affect some rural areas as well as large cities.  The potential for violence by terrorists and other criminal elements exists in all parts of the country. 

In recent months there has been a marked increase in violent crime in Colombia.  Murder rates have risen significantly in some major cities, particularly Medellin and Cali.  Kidnapping remains a serious threat.  Travelers have been the victim of violent crime, including kidnapping and murder. 

Firearms are prevalent in Colombia and altercations can often turn violent.  Small towns and rural areas of Colombia can still be extremely dangerous due to the presence of narco-terrorists.  Common crime also remains a significant problem in many urban and rural areas.