U.S. warns citizens against travelling to 126 destinations

The U.S. Department of State has updated its travel advisories, urging caution for Americans planning trips to 126 global destinations.

The warnings highlight risks such as crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health hazards, and natural disasters. Notably, 21 countries are classified under Level 4 (“Do Not Travel”), the highest risk category.

The State Department uses four advisory levels. Level 1 advises exercising normal precautions, though no Level 1 countries were listed in this update. Level 2, which recommends increased caution due to heightened risks, includes 80 countries and regions such as Albania, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Mexico (select states), the Philippines, South Africa, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.

Level 3 advises reconsidering travel due to serious risks and includes 23 countries and regions, among them Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Uganda. Level 4, the most severe, warns against any travel due to life-threatening risks and includes Afghanistan, Belarus, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Russia, Somalia, Syria, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Yemen.

Mexico’s advisory varies by state. Travelers are warned not to visit Colima, Guerrero, Michoacán, and Sinaloa due to crime and kidnapping, while reconsidering travel to Baja California, Jalisco, and Sonora.

The Yucatán and Campeche states are considered lower risk.

For Israel, the advisory recommends reconsidering travel to Israel and the West Bank and avoiding Gaza entirely.

The State Department emphasized that these advisories aim to protect U.S. citizens by providing critical safety information. They are reviewed every six months for Level 3 and 4 destinations and annually for Level 1 and 2.

Travelers are encouraged to check the State Department’s Country Information page, enroll in the Smart Traveler Program (STEP) for updates, and monitor local news.

Other advisories issued
Mexico and Israel both have special designations that advise travelers of the varying conditions throughout the nations.

Travelers going to Mexico’s Campeche state or Yucatan state can exercise normal precautions. Individuals should exercise increased caution when traveling to the following states and regions: Aguascalientes, Baja California Sur, Coahuila, Durango, Hidalgo, Mexico City, Mexico State, Nayarit, Nuevo Leon, Oaxaca, Puebla, Queretaro, Quintana Roo, San Luis Potosi, Tabasco, Tlaxcala and Veracruz.

States that individuals should reconsider travel to are Baja California, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Guanajuato, Jalisco, Morelos and Sonora. Individuals are urged not to travel to Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas states.

Individuals should reconsider travel to Israel and West Bank, and not travel to Gaza.

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook