Ongoing Demonstration Downtown, February 12, 2016

The U.S. Embassy has received reports of an ongoing demonstration downtown.  Demonstrators are gathering at the St. Jean Bosco church located on Grand Rue, Carrefour Pean, and Bel-Air. The demonstrators are scheduled to converge and march along the following routes: 1) Saint-Jean Bosco, Carrefour Pean, Bel-Air; 2) Rue Tiremasse; 3) Rue St Martin; 4) Carrefour Aviation; 5) Delmas 2; 6) Delmas 18; 7) Carrefour Delmas Aeroport; 8) Route de l’Aeroport; 9) Trois Mains ; 10) Route Nationale # 1 ; 11) Boulevard La Saline ; 12) Parliament (end).

All U.S. Citizens are advised to avoid this area. Please keep in mind that demonstrations in Haiti, even peaceful ones, can escalate quickly and even turn violent, so the Embassy urges all U.S. citizens to remain vigilant, be aware of their surroundings, and avoid this area as much as possible.  Should you find yourself among or near protesters, depart the area immediately.

Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.  You should avoid areas of demonstrations, and exercise caution if in the vicinity of any large gatherings, protests, or demonstrations.

For further information about security in Haiti:

•        See the State Department’s travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Haiti Specific Information.

•        Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.

•        Contact the U.S. Embassy in Haiti, located at  Tabarre 41, Boulevard du 15 Octobre, Tabarre, Haiti; telephone 509-2229-8000; after-hours emergency telephone 509-3464-3998; ACS unit fax 509-2229-8027; e-mail ; website.

•        Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).