Travel advisories are important for Americans to consider when planning trips, so Newsweek has compiled a list of the notices released by the U.S. Department of State so far in May.
The State Department considers various factors—such as crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health, likelihood of a natural disaster and current events—when issuing advisories to alert American travelers about a country’s safety level.
The map below shows all the advisories that have been added or updated in May. There are many other warnings in place for other parts of the world, all of which are available on the State Department’s website.
The State Department assigns travel advisory levels on a scale from 1 to 4, with Level 4 suggesting the highest degree of risk for travelers.
Cuba
The State Department warned on May 7 that “petty crime” was a risk for travelers in Cuba. The label covers pickpocketing, purse snatching and car break-ins. The country is now under a Level 2 advisory.
“Violent crime, including armed robbery and homicide, is also on the rise in Cuba,” the advisory warned.
Electrical supply is also “unreliable” in the country, the State Department added. Since October, there have been several prolonged nationwide power outages—with some cuts lasting up to 12 hours—occurring daily in Havana and even longer outside the capital.
Uruguay
The State Department warned on May 7 that travelers should exercise increased caution in Uruguay because of crime rates. The country is now under a Level 2 advisory.
“Violent crimes, such as homicides, armed robberies, car jackings, and thefts occur throughout the country,” the State Department said, adding that U.S. citizens had fallen victim to such crimes.
Crime is most common in Montevideo, Canelones, Maldonado and Rivera, it added.
Trinidad and Tobago
The State Department warned on May 7 that Trinidad and Tobago had “serious risks” of violent crimes, including murder, robbery, assault, sexual assault, home invasion and kidnapping.
A Level 3 advisory, which urges Americans to “reconsider travel” to the country, is now in place.
Areas in the capital, Port of Spain, are particularly dangerous, and U.S. government employees working in the country are prohibited from going to certain parts of the region.
There are also risks of “terrorist violence,” according to the advisory, which adds that terrorists can attack with “little or no warning” and may target tourist locations, transportation centers, markets and shopping malls.
Philippines
For the Philippines, the State Department warned on May 8 that travelers should exercise “increased caution” because of the “crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping” happening in the country. The country is now under a Level 2 advisory.
The State Department advised Americans not to travel to the Sulu Archipelago, including the southern Sulu Sea, and Marawi City in Mindanao.
Other parts of Mindanao are also high-risk areas, and travelers should reconsider visiting the region.
United Kingdom
Due to the risk of terrorism in the country, the State Department updated its advisory for the United Kingdom on May 8 to a Level 2, recommending that travelers exercise “increased caution” in the country.
“Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in the United Kingdom,” the advisory said, adding, “There is also risk of isolated violence by dissident groups in Northern Ireland, focused primarily on police and military targets.”
Russia
On May 8, the State Department warned Americans, “Do not travel to Russia for any reason,” issuing a Level 4 advisory. It also told any U.S. citizens in Russia to leave the country “immediately.”
The Level 4 advisory reflects various factors, including “danger associated with the continuing war between Russia and Ukraine, the risk of harassment or wrongful detention by Russian security officials, the arbitrary enforcement of local laws and the possibility of terrorism.”
Spain
The State Department warned on May 12 that travelers should exercise “increased caution” when visiting Spain. The country is now under a Level 2 advisory.
“Terrorism and civil unrest” were the reasons cited for the advisory, and the State Department added that terrorist groups “continue plotting possible attacks in Spain” and may attack with “little or no warning.”
Guyana
On May 12, the State Department released a Level 3 advisory for Guyana, meaning travelers should reconsider visiting the country.
This is because “violent crime, including murder and armed robbery, is common, especially at night,” the advisory said.
It added that the local police forces “often lack the resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents.”
Myanmar
Updating the advisory to reflect changes to risk indicators, the State Department released the warning for Myanmar, also called Burma, as a Level 4—meaning travelers should not go to the country.
“Do not travel to Burma due to armed conflict, the potential for civil unrest, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, poor health infrastructure, land mines and unexploded ordnance, crime, and wrongful detentions,” the State Department warned.
Venezuela
The State Department reissued the advisory for Venezuela on May 12 to “emphasize the extreme danger to U.S. citizens living in or traveling to” the country.
The Level 4 advisory means travelers should not visit the country, with the State Department citing a “high risk of wrongful detention, torture in detention, terrorism, kidnapping, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, crime, civil unrest, and poor health infrastructure.”
Newsweek will continue to update this article as new advisories are released in May.
