International Travel Alert February 12th, 2024

Senegal (Security threat level – 3):

On 9 February 2024, protests continued in the capital Dakar and other Senegalese cities, including Kolda, Richard Toll, Thies, Touba, Saint-Louis and Ziguinchor, to oppose the postponement of presidential elections, originally scheduled for 25 February. Protesters set fire to tires in the streets and threw stones at police officers in Dakar as they attempted to hold a planned rally at the Place de la Nation. Security personnel responded by firing tear gas and stun grenades at the protesters. Clashes between police and protesters were also reported in the cities of Thies, Touba and Kolda, while one individual was killed during the clashes in the northwestern city of Saint-Louis. There were unconfirmed reports of at least two other protest-related fatalities: one in a Dakar suburb and another in the southern city of Ziguinchor. Additional protests have been planned for 13 February and are expected to continue to denounce the postponement of the elections to 15 December.

Somalia (Security threat level – 5):

On 10 February 2024, a Somali soldier opened fire at the General Gordon military training facility in the capital Mogadishu. At least five people were killed, including four Emirati officers and a Bahraini soldier. Somali forces killed the attacker at the scene. The al-Shabab militant group claimed responsibility for the attack.

India (Security threat level – 3):

On 12 February 2024, farmers from the states of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh began their march toward the capital New Delhi to demand the government’s minimum support price (MSP) for their produce. More than 200 farmers’ unions have called on their members to participate in the march. In anticipation of protest-related disruptions, authorities have set up barricades at the entry and exit points of Delhi ahead of the planned 13 February protest. In a related development, police officers detained at least 70 farmers at the Bhopa railway station in Madhya Pradesh.

Pakistan (Security threat level – 5):

On 9 February 2024, former prime ministers Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan both declared victory in the 8 February parliamentary elections. Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) won 75 seats in the National Assembly — the most seats by a single party — while independents secured 101 seats in the chamber, 93 of whom are reportedly backed by Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) secured the third-most wins with 54 seats. PML-N and PPP have initiated dialogue to form the new government, which is likely to further anger the supporters of PTI. Khan is currently serving a jail sentence and PTI was banned from contesting the elections; however, the outcome indicates that Khan and his allies remain a potent political force in the country.

Trinidad and Tobago (Security threat level – 3):

On 11 February 2024, Prime Minister Keith Rowley announced that his government is considering declaring a national state of emergency due to an ongoing oil spill affecting 15 km (9 mi) of coastline from Canoe Bay to Scarborough. The Tobago Emergency Management Agency initially detected a capsized ship just off the coast of the Cove Eco-Industrial Estate on 7 February. Since the discovery of the wrecked vessel, which has yet to be identified, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management has usefully maintained oil leakage under control. However, local officials believe a Level 3 disaster declaration — indicating the need for international assistance — may be necessary to stop the oil spill and remove the capsized ship. More than 1,000 volunteers have been mobilized to clean beaches affected by the oil spill.

United Kingdom (Security threat level – 3):

On 9 February 2024, the British Medical Association (BMA) announced a planned labor strike across England during 24-28 February to demand a pay increase. Approximately 50,000 junior doctors represented by the BMA are expected to participate in the strike from 0700 local time/UTC on 24 February to 2329 local time on 28 February. Thousands of appointments are projected to be canceled and routine services will likely be disrupted at the hospitals. The walkout is the 10th such action being organized by junior doctors since March 2023 in response to failed negotiations between the BMA and National Health Service (NHS) to increase wages. Nearly 50% of NHS doctors are junior doctors, some of whom possess experience of up to 10 years.

Mexico (Security threat level – 4):

On 9 February 2024, gunfire broke out at a resort beach club in the town of Tulum, located in the state of Quintana Roo, killing two people. The gunfight between drug dealers at the beach club resulted in the deaths of a U.S. woman and a Belizean man — whom prosecutors identified as a drug dealer. No arrests have been made so far in relation to the shooting.

United States (Security threat level – 2):

At approximately 1400 local time (2000 UTC) on 11 February 2024, a woman armed with a long rifle opened fire inside a church in southwestern Houston, Texas. The woman, who was accompanied by a child, entered Lakewood Church and fired multiple rounds. Two off-duty police officers at the church returned fire, killing the assailant. The child and another individual suffered gunshot wounds. The Houston Police Department is conducting an investigation into the shooting.

At approximately 1515 local time (2015 UTC) on 9 February 2024, a private aircraft carrying five people crashed on Interstate 75 near the city of Naples in southwestern Florida. The Bombardier Challenger 604 aircraft, with registration N823KD, collided with a vehicle on the highway and burst into flames. The pilot and co-pilot were killed, while the three others survived the crash. The aircraft was en route to Naples Airport (KAPF/APF) from Columbus-Ohio State University Airport (KOSU/OSU) at the time of the event. According to preliminary reports, the pilot had communicated to air traffic controllers that the aircraft lost both of its engines shortly before the crash. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the event.

Colombia (Security threat level – 4):

On 10 February 2024, the governor of Valle del Cauca region implemented a curfew in the city of Tuluá, located approximately 85 km (50 mi) from Cali, due to unrest caused by the arrest of a prominent gang leader. The curfew began at 2300 local time on 10 February (0400 UTC on 11 February) after several vehicles were set on fire and at least one traffic officer was killed. Two others were injured in the unrest. Authorities advised individuals in Tuluá to stay indoors and avoid travel. Security measures in the city have been increased to contain the violence.

Guyana / Venezuela (Security threat levels – 3 / 5):

On 10 February 2024, the Venezuelan military continued to build up its presence along Venezuela’s border with Guyana due to the ongoing dispute over the resource rich Essequibo region. Furthermore, satellite images showed improved access roads and armored vehicles being mobilized in the area. The tensions continue despite a December 2023 diplomatic agreement between the two countries to deescalate and resolve the dispute peacefully.

Timor-Leste (Security threat level – 3):

In response to an outbreak of chikungunya in several municipalities across Timor-Leste, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 2 Travel Health Notice – Practice Enhanced Precautions. As of 25 January 2024, local health authorities confirm a total of 183 cases have been reported, with the majority occurring in Dili (85) and Ermera municipality (78); the remaining cases are from three other cities.

Chikungunya virus is transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitos. According to the CDC, the most common symptoms include fever and joint pain. Symptoms usually disappear within a week, and fatalities from Chikungunya are rare. For more information regarding treatment and bite prevention, please refer to the CDC.

Democratic Republic Of The Congo (Security threat level – 4):

On 10 February 2024, the U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) issued updated travel advice for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which reads in part as follows: “Since 5 February 2024 there have been a number of protests outside Western embassies in Kinshasa including the British Embassy on 9 February 2024. These protests are ongoing over the weekend of 10-11 February 2024 including along the Boulevard de 30 Juin. Protesters have started small fires and there have been instances of foreign and diplomatic cars having stones and rocks thrown at them and in some cases set on fire. Protests have the potential to quickly turn violent but so far we have received no reports of injuries. There is a high likelihood that protests will take place in Kinshasa on 12 February 2024 and that foreigners could be indiscriminately targeted. Protests could spread to other parts of DRC. A protest has been called for 12 February 2024 in Goma outside the MONUSCO Headquarters.”