Safety and Scams

The US Department of State warns against traveling to the far-eastern region of Mauritania due to the activities of terrorist groups, including al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), al-Mourabitoun and Daesh. 

The terrorist organizations AQIM, al-Mourabitoun and Daesh and affiliates have declared their intention to attack foreign targets in North and West Africa, Mauritania’s geographical region. In recent years, AQIM has kidnapped and murdered private citizens and attacked foreign diplomatic and gendarme military installations in Mauritania. 

The US Department of State continues to warn that Pakistan is experiencing terrorist violence. Evidence suggests that some victims of terrorist activity have been targeted because they are Americans. 

In the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) of northeastern Pakistan, an improvised explosive device placed in a marketplace in the Kurram Valley killed at least 25 people and injured at least 87 others on Jan. 20. 

The US Department of State warns travelers that El Salvador has one of the highest homicide levels in the world, and crimes such as extortion, assault and robbery are common. Gang activity is widespread. Muggings following ATM withdrawals are common, as are armed robberies at scenic-view stops. 

Due to armed robberies in national parks, hikers in back-country areas are strongly recommended to engage local guides certified by the national or a local tourist authority.

In northeastern Mali, a car bomb struck a military base in the city of Gao on Jan. 19, killing more than 70 soldiers. Under a peace agreement, the base is shared by Mali armed forces and a militia comprised of Tuareg, a nomadic North African people. The two groups were preparing to go on a cooperative patrol when the blast occurred. The Islamist terrorist group al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) claimed responsibility for the bombing. 

In Istanbul, Turkey, in the early-morning hours of Jan. 1, a gunman opened fire on a New Year’s Eve party at the popular nightclub Reina, killing 39 people, including 15 foreigners, and injuring 69 others. The foreign victims were identified as citizens of France, Belgium, Tunisia, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

The US Department of State warns travelers planning to visit certain areas of the Philippines of the risk of kidnapping and insurgent violence.

The US Department of State warns travelers that the level of kidnapping, crime and violence in Honduras is high. Honduras has one of the highest murder rates in the world. The US Embassy in Tegucigalpa has recorded three murders of US citizens since January 2016. 

Honduran law enforcement frequently report highway assaults and carjackings by criminals posing as Honduran police throughout Honduras, including in remote areas of the Choluteca, Olancho, Colón and Copán departments. 

Regarding the article on an otherwise very enjoyable trip to London (July ’16, pg. 18), I must comment on the theft that unfortunately occurred after the author’s wife placed her backpack/purse on the back of her chair in a pub.

This is not a good idea even in one’s hometown. Unfortunately, there are opportunists all over the world.

When I travel, I never put anything in my backpack or handbag that I can’t afford to lose. My passport, credit card and money all go into a money belt.

In the article “Highlights from a Week in London Plus a Transatlantic Crossing on the QM2,” the author commented on the unfortunate event of his wife’s wallet being stolen from the backpack/purse hanging on the back of her chair in a pub (July ’16, pg. 21). He said this “reaffirmed the value of keeping a separate record of all bank card numbers and customer service telephone numbers when traveling.”