Caribbean News
US Defends Travel Advisories against Caribbean Countries
By Sherrica Thompson
Staff Writer
#USA, October 12, 2022 – The United States on Sunday defended its decision to issue a travel advisory against Trinidad and Tobago earlier this month after the government of the Caribbean country said it was taken aback by the latest travel advisory issued on October 5.
In a statement, the US Embassy in Trinidad said that the travel advisory that was updated on October 5 was “due to a change in health restrictions for COVID-19,” and “the security and safety aspects of the advisory did not change.”
The embassy explained how the travel advisory works.
“Travel Advisories do not target specific countries. Each country is assigned an overall Travel Advisory Level from 1-4. The Department’s Travel Advisory levels are based on established risk indicators such as health, crime, terrorism,
It added: “Each country’s level is based on an assessment of domestic conditions that might affect the welfare or safety of U.S. citizens.”
In the updated advisory, the Embassy issued a Level 2 for Trinidad and Tobago, warning citizens to exercise increased caution in the country because of crime, terrorism, and kidnapping.
However, a Level 4 advisory was issued for Port of Spain, warning citizens not to travel there because violence and shootings occur regularly in some areas of the country’s capital.
The agency also noted that its responsibility is to protect citizens overseas.
“The Department of State has no greater responsibility than the safety and security of U.S. citizens overseas. We are committed to providing U.S. citizens with the most up-to-date, fact-based, accurate, and transparent information to keep U.S. citizens informed when they are abroad,” the US Embassy said.
A travel advisory was also reissued for the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos on October 5. Both countries are still at a Level 2 advisory, warning citizens to exercise increased caution due to crime.