Safety and Scams

Honduras currently has the highest per-capita murder rate in the world, according to UN statistics. In 2010 there were 82.1 homicides per 100,000 people.

According to the US Department of State, the Mexican government has been engaged in an extensive effort to counter Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) which engage in narcotics trafficking and other unlawful activities throughout Mexico. The TCOs, themselves, are engaged in a violent struggle to control drug-trafficking routes and other criminal activity. As a result, crime and violence are serious problems, including homicide, gun battles, kidnapping, carjacking and highway robbery.

The United States ended its combat mission in Iraq on Aug. 31, 2010, and is scheduled to complete its withdrawal of military forces by Dec. 31, 2011.

The US Department of State warns of the risks of traveling to Chad and recommends avoiding eastern Chad and all border regions. The risk of clashes between Chadian government and armed opposition forces continues.

In rural Chad, outbreaks of robbery and carjacking at gunpoint plus kidnapping and murder follow periods of calm, without warning. Violence is often associated with car accidents and other events causing injury to Chadian nationals. The level of violence in each incident has increased significantly in recent months.

The US State Department warns that terrorists and their sympathizers regularly attack civilian, government and foreign targets throughout Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Threat reporting indicates terrorist groups seek opportunities to attack locations where Westerners congregate or visit. Terrorists have disguised themselves as Pakistani security personnel to gain access to targeted areas.

The capital of Nigeria, Abuja, had a curfew instituted in June after a series of bomb attacks by the Islamic sect Boko Haram. Bomb attacks at a police headquarters killed eight, another bombing of a beer garden killed 25 people and a car bomb killed 10. In the northeastern city of Maiduguri, 14 were killed in attacks on police stations and a church.

The militant sect Boko Haram aims for Islamic rule in Nigeria and targets “all political and social activity associated with the West.”

• Legislative elections, with multiple new political parties, are planned for Oct. 23, 2011, in Tunisia. Travelers may expect some political gatherings in major urban centers, and these may impede travel.

• At press time, the civil war in Libya continued and Libyan forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi retained control of the capital, Tripoli. NATO has supported rebel forces with weapons and air strikes. Rebel forces gained ground in the western mountain region and began to push into the desert areas toward Tripoli.

Waiting for our cruise-tour aboard the Norwegian Sun to begin with Vantage Deluxe World Travel (Boston, MA), we spent three days in Buenos Aires in late March ’10. Luckily, on one of our city tours the local Vantage guide filled us in on a tourist scam.

The perpetrators spray you with brown mustard, then rush up with tissue to help clean off the offensive stuff, pointing up into the trees and blaming the birds for the mess. In the process, they pick your pocket or steal belongings.

The US State Department warns of regular attacks in Pakistan by terrorists and their sympathizers.