An urgent ‘do not travel’ alert has been issued by the United States for two countries due to heightened political instability and potential threats to life.
It’s exciting to explore new destinations and immerse oneself in diverse cultures, but travelers, regardless of their experience level, should be cautious of regions deemed unsafe.
Even individuals like Drew Binsky, who boasts visits to every country globally, have navigated such areas without incident. Nevertheless, the US government strongly advises avoiding two specific countries.
The US State Department has released a ‘do not travel’ advisory concerning certain areas in Colombia, citing a heightened threat of ‘violent crime’ and ‘terrorism’.
“Do not travel to these areas for any reason. Violent crime, like armed robbery and murder, is common in these locations. Terrorist groups are active in some areas here,” the department states on its website.
“Due to the risks, U.S. government employees working in Colombia are prohibited from traveling to these areas.”
While the ‘reconsider travel’ category includes several areas, the State Department specifically warns against travel to Arauca, Cauca, and the Colombia-Venezuela border due to criminal activity.
The department elaborated: “Violent crime, like murder, assault, and robbery, is common in many areas in Colombia. In some places, organized crime is rampant. This includes extortion, robbery, and kidnapping.
“There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity, in Colombia.”
Additionally, the department noted that US citizens entering Colombia without a visa have encountered ‘terrorism charges’ resulting in prolonged detentions.
Burkina Faso is another country that the US government advises against visiting due to risks of ‘terrorism, crime, and kidnapping’.
This landlocked West African nation, home to approximately 23 million people, ranks among the world’s least developed countries.
The State Department warns travelers contemplating a visit to Burkina Faso: “Do not travel to Burkina Faso for any reason due to terrorism, crime, and kidnapping.
“Terrorist organizations continue to plan and conduct terrorist activities throughout Burkina Faso.”
They added: “The threat of kidnapping remains persistent throughout Burkina Faso, including in Ouagadougou and especially in the Sahel and East regions.
“Due to the risks, the U.S. government is unable to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in most of the country. U.S. government employees working in Burkina Faso are prohibited from traveling to regions outside the capital due to security concerns.”