All United States citizens are advised that due to the prevalence of road blocks and sporadic violent incidents along Route National 2 in the last week, the Embassy Security Officer has restricted Embassy employee travel between Leogane and Jacmel to essential, official travel only, with security escort, and requiring advanced approval, until further notice. Additionally, due to ongoing political instability, resulting in a tenuous security situation throughout Haiti, and the likelihood of large and potentially violent demonstrations over the next two weeks, the Embassy has prohibited Embassy officers and their households under Embassy authority from travel to Jacmel and from participation in Carnival in Jacmel. This prohibition is in place for the duration of Carnival, until February 10, 2016. 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).
