Over the past two weeks, the U.S. Department of State has added four countries to its Level 4 “Do Not Travel” list.
The newly listed countries are Haiti, Libya, Iraq, and Syria. These advisories represent the most serious classification issued by the department.
Each Level 4 warning is based on a combination of risks that may include violent crime, terrorism, disease outbreaks, natural disasters, kidnapping, and armed conflict.
The department evaluates how these factors impact U.S. citizens abroad and whether the government can offer emergency assistance in those areas.
Haiti was the first country added this month. On July 15th, the department issued a warning stating, “Haiti has been under a State of Emergency since March 2024.” The advisory cited frequent gun violence and reported incidents of robbery, carjackings, sexual assaults, and ransom kidnappings. “Do not travel to Haiti for any reason,” the department said.
The situation in Haiti has also affected travel access. The FAA continues to ban flights into Port-au-Prince, and cruise lines are adjusting their itineraries.
Royal Caribbean confirmed it will no longer include Labadee, its private coastal property in Haiti, on upcoming voyages.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we have temporarily paused our upcoming visits to Labadee. We have already communicated with guests directly,” the company told Travel + Leisure.
On July 16, the department released a Level 4 advisory for Libya. The notice referenced ongoing risks from armed conflict, civil unrest, unexploded landmines, criminal activity, and terrorist violence.
Iraq was added to the list on July 17th. The department emphasized its limited ability to assist U.S. citizens there and cited the presence of anti-U.S. militias and widespread instability as key reasons for the warning.
The most recent advisory came on July 23rd for Syria. The U.S. has not had embassy operations in Syria since 2012. According to the department, “No part of Syria is safe from violence.” American citizens traveling there would not have access to routine or emergency consular services.
These warnings bring the total number of Level 4 advisories issued in July to five. Lebanon received the first of the month’s alerts on July 3rd, due to threats from terrorism, civil unrest, armed conflict, crime, and landmines.
The State Department categorizes its advisories into four levels. Level 1 recommends standard precautions. Level 2 advises increased caution. Level 3 urges reconsideration of travel, while Level 4 instructs Americans to avoid travel entirely. Levels 3 and 4 are reviewed at least twice a year, though updates can be made at any time based on changing conditions.
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