Americans have been warned to reconsider their trip to Jamaica after at least 65 people were killed in the past four weeks.
The State Department raised its warning to the second-highest level, just below ‘do not travel’, in response to the wave of violence.
Jamaica is the latest Caribbean country that American tourists are thinking of crossing off their winter vacation list, joining the Bahamas in new warnings.
‘Violent crimes, such as home burglaries, armed robberies, assaults and murders, are common. Sexual violence is common, including in all-inclusive resorts,” the warning for Jamaica read.
Americans have been warned to reconsider their trip to Jamaica after at least 65 people have been killed in the past four weeks (investigation by Jamaican police pictured)
Jamaica is the latest Caribbean country American tourists are thinking about checking off their winter vacation list
‘The local police often do not respond effectively to serious criminal incidents. When arrests are made, cases are rarely prosecuted to a final sentence.”
“Families of American citizens killed in accidents or homicides often wait a year or more for final death certificates from Jamaican authorities.”
State said Jamaica’s homicide rate in recent years was among the highest in the Western Hemisphere.
However, none of the 65 people killed in Jamaica this year were visitors.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visited Jamaica last week, where they met Prime Minister Andrew Holness and other dignitaries – but under extreme security.
Sexual violence is also common in Jamaica compared to other parts of the world, and is the top concern of tourists at all-inclusive resorts.
Canadian travel warnings even advise women not to drink heavily at resorts, in case they fall prey to predators.
‘There have been reports of sexual violence at tourist resorts, committed by resort staff and, in some cases, by other tourists. Women traveling alone are often harassed,” it said
“Be wary of strangers who seem friendly, refrain from excessive drinking, especially at all-inclusive resorts, and make sure your hotel room doors and windows are locked.”
An AK47 assault rifle, four magazines, eighty-six 5.56mm rounds and forty-seven 7.62mm rounds seized by Jamaican police earlier this month
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle made a surprise appearance at the world premiere of Bob Marley: One Love in Kingston, Jamaica on Tuesday
Much of Jamaica’s bad reputation in this area dates from 2011 to 2017, when 78 cases of rape were reported at all-inclusive resorts.
According to State Department statistics, this equated to one American being raped every month during this period.
The worst year was 2016, when 18 Americans were sexually assaulted, followed by 15 in 2012.
“You had some (resorts) where guests would sign non-disclosure agreements and they would reimburse them for their trips,” a 2018 report from the Detroit Free Press read.
‘There were other victims who said to me, ‘The resorts just ignored me and tried to forget about it.’ There were others who stopped people from going to the police.”
Another victim was an 18-year-old au pair whose American host family received $25,000 from the hotel in exchange for their silence.
The newspaper reported that two Detroit women were raped at gunpoint at an all-inclusive resort in Jamaica in October 2018.
Since then, Jamaican resorts have vastly improved their practices to prevent sexual violence and attract more tourists, but it remains a concern.
The second reason for the recommendation was that medical facilities were far below American standards and specialized care was difficult to obtain.
Ambulances can take a long time to arrive and were not always staffed by trained personnel.
Montego Bay in Jamaica is a popular tourist location in the Caribbean country
The second reason for the recommendation was that medical facilities in Jamaica were far below American standards and specialized care was difficult to obtain
Americans who were injured in Jamaica and had to be repatriated for proper medical care would have to pay $30,000 to $50,000 if they did not have travel insurance, the state warned.
Travelers who did decide to go to Jamaica were warned to avoid public buses and drive or walk around at night.
Certain parts of Jamaica were considered so unsafe that U.S. government personnel under the embassy’s security responsibility were prohibited from visiting a long list of locations.
Jamaica had 33 murders in the first 13 days of January, which rose to 65 on Saturday, according to a crime report from the Jamaica Constabulary Force.
Despite more than two murders a day among 2.8 million people, police said this was a drop in murders compared to last year.
Turks and Caicos and Trinidad and Tobago were other Caribbean islands that experienced increased violent crime.
Americans have been advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant while staying at short-term vacation rentals in the Bahamas
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has placed the Bahamas on the ‘More Caution’ warning list and has even asked people to avoid water trips and sports activities.
Americans were previously advised to exercise caution when visiting the Bahamas after nearly twenty people were murdered in just a month.
The warning was prompted by increasing gang violence and killings, with retaliatory gang violence being the primary motive.
Americans were advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant when staying in short-term vacation rentals.
“Murders have occurred at all hours, including in broad daylight on the streets,” the U.S. Embassy in Nassau advised.
Officials also asked tourists not to physically resist any robbery attempt and not to open their doors to unknown people at any hotel or place of residence.
The State Department has placed the Bahamas on its ‘higher caution’ list and even asked people to avoid water trips and sporting activities.
“Activities involving commercial recreational craft, including water tours, are not consistently regulated,” the report said.
The US Embassy in Nassau has issued a security alert and advisory warning of rising levels of gang violence and murders (photo)
Officials have also asked tourists not to physically resist a robbery attempt and not to open the front door of any hotel/residence to unknown people.
“Personal watercraft may be poorly maintained and some operators may not have safety certifications. Always check and follow local weather and maritime warnings before engaging in water activities.
‘Never swim alone, regardless of your age or swimming skill level. Stay within your fitness and swimming capabilities.
‘Please be aware of sharks when swimming and participating in water activities as there have been recent fatal and non-fatal incidents involving sharks.’
Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis responded to the advice: ‘We will not violate anyone’s civil liberties, but you are likely to face further roadblocks and unannounced police action.
‘This may cause you to be late for your appointments or postpone your plans, but this is a small price to pay for the collective benefit of making our streets safer and our lives less destroyed by murder and other violent crimes. crimes.’
According to local newsDavis has already proposed a crime plan to the public in response to the rising number of murders this month.
