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Jamaica, a once-popular vacation and tourism destination, was recently made a level 3 travel warning advisory recommending U.S. citizens reconsider traveling to the island nation.

The U.S. Department of State, which rates countries based on their potential safety risks, said it altered Jamaica’s rating on Jan. 23, citing “violent crimes, such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides, are common,” the agency states. “Sexual assaults occur frequently, including at all-inclusive resorts.”

The State Department added that the homicide rate the Jamaican government reports is among the highest in the Western Hemisphere, which authorities have failed to address.

“Local police often do not respond effectively to serious criminal incidents. When arrests are made, cases are infrequently prosecuted to a conclusive sentence. Families of U.S. citizens killed in accidents or homicides frequently wait a year or more for final death certificates to be issued by Jamaican authorities.”

What are the State Department’s travel advisories?

The agency’s travel advisories rank from level one, which recommends exercising “normal precautions” and includes countries such as Japan, Switzerland and Portugal, to level 4, which is listed as “Do Not Travel.”

The State Department’s level 2 rating recommends “increased precaution,” but it doesn’t go so far as to recommend avoiding travel to the country altogether as it does for countries with level 3 and 4 ratings.

Countries with a Level 4 ‘Reconsider Travel’ rating

These are the countries that have the level 4 “Do Not Travel” rating:

  • Burma (Myanmar)
  • Iran
  • Yemen
  • Afghanistan
  • Iraq
  • Russia
  • South Sudan
  • Somalia
  • Mali
  • Central African Republic
  • Burkina Faso
  • Haiti
  • Belarus
  • North Korea
  • Venezuela
  • Syria
  • Libya
  • Ukraine
  • Sudan

Countries with a Level 3 ‘Reconsider Travel’ rating

These are the countries that have a Level 3 “Reconsider Travel” rating:

  • Lebanon
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Jamaica
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Nicaragua
  • Niger
  • Colombia
  • Uganda
  • Guinea
  • Nigeria
  • Mauritania
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • Ethiopia
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Chad
  • Burundi
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Honduras
  • Guyana
  • Guatemala
  • El Salvador
  • Egypt
  • Macau
  • Pakistan

How to stay safe when planning a trip, traveling

Arizona’s former Director of Homeland Security, Tim Roemer, said he believes it’s important to exercise caution now more than ever before and when traveling abroad, which includes always paying attention to your surroundings, having a heightened sense of alertness, and regularly communicating with friends and family back home. He also said it is imperative to pay attention to the news.

“Watch what’s happening. You don’t want to get stuck somewhere by being unaware of what’s going on in the world,” said Roemer.

Roemer advised Americans traveling internationally to remain vigilant, especially if they witness any unusual or suspicious activity.

“If you see something that seems out of the ordinary, say something. Don’t just keep it to yourself,” Roemer said. “Report it (to local law enforcement). It could actually be really important and make a huge difference.”

Roemer also encouraged travelers to be more organized and have contingency plans when traveling internationally, especially for those who may already be abroad. This includes knowing all of the airports in your region and being prepared for the unexpected.

Republic reporter Coleby Phillips contributed to this article.

Reach the reporter Perry Vandell at [email protected] or 602-444-2474. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @PerryVandell.



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