US Raises Security Alert for Travel to Brazil

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The US State Department has raised the alert level for tourists traveling to Brazil and for those visiting certain areas such as slums, border areas and some administrative regions of the Federal District. The measure was taken due to the increased risk of crime.

According to the travel recommendations released on Tuesday, January 14th, the security alert for Brazil stands at level 2, where increased caution is recommended. The levels range from 1 to 4.

For specified areas, the level rises to 4, in which the US government does not recommend travel. US government officials may only visit these locations with prior authorization.

The statement advises tourists not to visit “informal housing developments (commonly referred to in Brazil as ‘favelas’, villages, communities and/or conglomerates) at any time of the day due to crime”, not even on a guided tour.

According to the agency, even in those communities that the police or local governments consider safe, the situation may change quickly and without notice. Caution also extends to nearby areas, as “occasional gang clashes and confrontations with the police go beyond the boundaries of these communities”.

According to the State Department, tourists are also not advised to go to the administrative regions (known as satellite cities) of Ceilândia, Santa Maria, São Sebastião and Paranoá, all in the Federal District, at night.

Orientation is also valid for regions less than 150 kilometers from the border of Brazil with Venezuela, Colombia, Bolivia, Guyana, French Guiana, Peru, Suriname, and Paraguay. The alert does not apply, however, to trips to Foz do Iguaçu National Park and Pantanal National Park.

Also according to the statement, in Brazil “violent crimes such as murder, armed robbery, and car theft are common in urban areas, day and night. Gang activity and organized crime are widespread”.

Robberies are common. US government officials are discouraged from using municipal buses in all parts of Brazil due to the high risk of assault and battery at any time of day and particularly at night.

Should tourists decide to travel to Brazil, the agency advises that these should be aware of the surroundings and to be more careful in isolated areas; not to resist robbery attempts; not to walk on the beaches after dark; not to display indication of wealth, such as expensive watches or jewelry; to be extremely vigilant in banks or ATMs; and to be careful in public transportation, particularly at night.

“Passengers face a high risk of robbery or assault using public buses throughout Brazil,” the recommendation says.

Source: Agência Brasil