January 2017

As ITN went to press, the State Department had travel warnings on 39 destinations: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Haiti, Honduras, Iran, Iraq, Israel/West Bank/Gaza, Kenya, North Korea, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Republic of South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, Venezuela and Yemen.   

As of press time, Venezuela’s inflation rate, expected to reach 720 percent by the end of 2016, had caused the country’s largest bank­note, the 100-bolivar bill (VEF100), to have a value of only 5 US cents. This has caused a shortage of currency at banks and ATMs.

Venezuela has announced the creation of higher-denomination notes, set to start circulation in January 2017 and ranging in value from VEF500 to VEF20,000 (worth about 25¢ to $10, respectively).

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Nov. 21 that  because the zika virus outbreak in South America and the Caribbean is now endemic to the region, it will no longer be considered an “international medical emergency.” WHO now recommends a long-term approach to treating the virus, emphasizing prevention.

Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos and the leader of the rebel group FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia – People’s Army), Rodrigo Londoño, signed a second peace accord on Nov. 24 after the first one, agreed upon on Sept. 26, 2016, was denied by voters in a national referendum (Nov. ’16, pgs. 19, 63). 

Unlike the first accord, the second accord was not voted upon by the public but was unanimously approved by Colombia’s senate. 

The leaders of southern and northern Cyprus met in Geneva in November to negotiate the reunification of the nation, but on Nov. 21 it was announced that they were unable to come to an agreement. 

The Eastern Mediterranean island nation has been split since a pro-Greek coup in 1974 induced Turkey to occupy the northern portion of the country, creating a southern, Greek Cyprus and a northern, Turkish Cyprus, split at the capital, Nicosia. 

The US Department of State warns against travel to Burundi due to ongoing political tensions, armed violence and civil unrest. 

Politically motivated violence persists throughout Burundi in the aftermath of the country’s contested July 2015 elections and over the current president’s possible ineligibility for his ongoing third term.

The US Department of State warned travelers of the heightened risk of terrorist attacks throughout Europe, particularly during the holiday season. This Travel Alert will expire on Feb. 20, 2017.

Credible information indicates that Daesh (ISIL), al-Qaeda and their affiliates continue to plan terrorist attacks in Europe. Travelers also should be aware that extremist sympathizers or self-radicalized extremists may conduct attacks with little or no warning.