State Department’s travel advisory reveals most of Western Europe is UNSAFE for Americans

05/28/2024 / By Kevin Hughes

An examination of the United States Department of State‘s extensive list of worldwide travel advisories shows that the American government believes a substantial portion of the world, including much of Europe, is unsafe for Americans.

The advisories classify over 200 nations into four risk levels, which range from Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) to Level 4 (Do Not Travel). (Related: State Department issues rare “worldwide caution” advisory for Americans abroad as Middle East tensions grow.)

Americans are to “exercise increased caution” in earlier safe countries such as the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain.

Level 4 advisories caution against travel to nations considered extremely dangerous for Americans because of high crime, civil unrest and incidences of terrorism. As of May 2024, the American government advises against travel to the Afghanistan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, Haiti, Israel and the occupied West Bank, Myanmar and Russia.

With serious threats of terrorism, kidnapping and civil unrest, the U.S. Embassy in Kabul stopped operations in August 2021 after the Taliban took control of Afghanistan. The ongoing war in neighboring Ukraine and the presence of Russian military forces place critical dangers in Belarus.

Areas in the East and Sahel regions of Burkina Faso are confronting continuous terrorism and violent crime Restricted government control and rampant violent crime in Central African Republic has made travel extremely unsafe.

Kidnappings and violent crime in Haiti have caused the evacuation of non-emergency American personnel from the Port-au-Prince embassy in July 2023. Operations in the main airport only resumed recently.

The continuing Israel-Hamas conflict and terrorist activities present extreme risks in Israel and the West Bank. The 2021 military coup in Myanmar has led to continuous armed conflict and civil unrest. The conflict in Ukraine, together with reports of random detentions and harassment of American citizens, makes travel extremely dangerous in Russia.

Countries under Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) advisories are deemed high-risk, where non-essential travel should be reviewed. Countries in this category include Colombia, Lebanon, Mexico and Sudan.

In Colombia, violent crime and the presence of armed militants are considered ordinary in some areas. In Mexico, states like Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas in Mexico are specifically dangerous. In Lebanon, the ongoing conflict in southern Lebanon and the presence of dangerous militants in most of the country put specific regions as notably unsafe for Americans. Meanwhile, an ongoing civil war in Sudan has brought forth massive civil unrest.

Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) advisories suggest numerous risks where travelers should be specifically watchful.

Noteworthy examples include France, Spain, Germany, the U.K. and the Netherlands, all of which are on the list due to terrorism concerns.

Western European countries such as Germany and the U.K. have seen a serious invasion of Muslim immigrants in the past decade. Several of these immigrants and their children maintain extremist beliefs and are supportive of terrorism.

State Department releases security alerts and travel advisories for Americans overseas

The State Department has also issued a security alert recently because of the “potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations, or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests.”

“The Department of State is aware of the increased potential for foreign terrorist organization-inspired violence against LGBTQ+ persons and events and advises U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased caution,” the alert said.

American citizens abroad are asked to stay alert in areas visited by tourists, including Pride celebrations and venues attended by LGBTQ+ people.

A spokesperson for the State Department said in a recent statement that the department is committed “to provide U.S. citizens with clear, timely, and reliable information about every country in the world so they can make informed travel decisions” but did not indicate if the officials know where the possible threat is more evident.

Watch the video below about the State Department issuing a “worldwide caution” alert amid Middle East tensions.

This video is from the SavingHealthMinistries channel on Brighteon.com.