State Dept. Upgrades Travel Warning To Haiti
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Travelers to Haiti are being warned about robberies and lawlessness in the island nation.
Last Friday, the U.S. State Department upgraded their Haiti travel advisory, according to CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald.
"U.S. citizens have been victims of violent crime, including murder and kidnapping, predominantly in the Port-au-Prince area. No one is safe from kidnapping regardless of occupation, nationality, race, gender or age," according to a statement on the department's website.
The department noted that in recent months, travelers arriving in Port-au-Prince on flights from the U.S. were attacked and robbed shortly after departing the airport. At least two U.S. citizens were shot and killed in robbery and kidnapping incidents in 2012.
"Haitian authorities have limited capacity to deter or investigate such violent acts, or prosecute perpetrators," noted the department.
The updated warning also mentions that while the incidents of cholera have declined, the disease persists in many areas of Haiti. Medical facilities, including ambulance services, are particularly weak.
CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald contributed to this report.
