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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 073224 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: CASC ASEC PTER OTRA HT
SUBJECT: TRAVEL WARNING - HAITI 
 
¶1.  The State Department warns U.S. citizens of the 
risks of travel to Haiti and urges that they exercise a 
high degree of caution when traveling there.  While the 
overall security situation has improved, political 
stability in Haiti remains fragile, and the potential 
for politically-motivated violence persists.  This 
Travel Warning replaces the Travel Warning dated January 
28, 2009, and is being issued to provide updated 
information on country conditions, and to alert 
Americans to ongoing security concerns and on contacting 
and registering with the U.S. Embassy in Haiti. 
 
 
¶2.  Haiti, like most Caribbean countries, can be 
affected by hurricanes and other storms.  Hurricane 
season runs from approximately June 1 - November 30 each 
year.  The lack of government infrastructure and rescue 
services, combined with impassable roads and bridges, 
have severely hindered rescue and relief efforts. 
During the 2008 hurricane season, four tropical storms 
struck Haiti, causing torrential rains, extensive 
flooding and mudslides, and hundreds of reported 
casualties.  Most transport infrastructure damaged by 
the 2008 storms has been repaired, although in many 
cases repairs are temporary pending the construction of 
more permanent structures.  Haiti has few secondary 
roads that are in good condition.  Drivers traveling on 
Haiti's roads must be aware that there will be frequent 
deviations, stoppages and obstructions due to ongoing 
road construction and repairs. For additional details 
concerning traffic safety and road conditions, please 
see the Department of State's Country Specific 
Information for Haiti. 
 
¶3.  There were violent confrontations between opposing 
candidates' supporters and armed attacks on polling 
stations in a handful of Haitian towns during the April 
19, 2009, Senate elections.  There was less violence in 
the second round of voting on June 21.  International 
monitors described the elections as generally well- 
organized and orderly.  The absence of an effective 
police force in many areas of Haiti means that, when 
protests take place, there is potential for looting, the 
erection of intermittent roadblocks by armed protestors 
or by the police, and the possibility of random crime, 
including kidnapping, carjacking, home invasion, armed 
robbery and assault.  Although the Haitian National 
Police are more visible and are gradually contributing 
to improving public security, especially in the 
metropolitan area of the capital, Americans in Haiti 
should practice good personal security, take commonsense 
precautions and avoid any event where crowds may 
congregate.  Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful 
occasionally turn violent.  Americans should closely 
monitor news media and the U.S. Embassy's website at: 
http://haiti.usembassy.gov/warden_information .html . 
 
 
¶4.      U.S. citizens traveling to and residing in Haiti 
despite this warning are reminded that there also is a 
chronic danger of violent crime, especially kidnappings. 
Most kidnappings are criminal in nature, and the 
kidnappers make no distinctions of nationality, race, 
gender, or age.  The incidence of kidnapping in Haiti 
has diminished from its peak in 2006 when 60 Americans 
were reported kidnapped.  As of July 2009, one American 
had been reported kidnapped this year.  In 2008, 27 
Americans were reported kidnapped. Most of the Americans 
were abducted in Haiti's two largest cities, Port-au- 
Prince and Cap Haitien.  Some kidnap victims have been 
killed, shot, sexually assaulted, or physically abused. 
 
STATE 00073224  002 OF 002 
 
 
While the capacity and capabilities of the Haitian 
National Police have improved since 2006, the presence 
of UN stabilization force (MINUSTAH) peacekeeping troops 
and UN-formed police units remain critical to 
maintaining an adequate level of security throughout the 
country.  The lack of civil protections in Haiti, as 
well as the limited capability of local law enforcement 
to resolve crime, further compounds the security threat 
to American citizens. 
 
¶5.      While MINUSTAH remains fully deployed and is 
assisting the government of Haiti in providing security, 
travel is always hazardous within Port-au-Prince.  U.S. 
Embassy personnel are under an Embassy-imposed curfew 
and must remain in their homes or in U.S. government 
facilities during the curfew.  Some areas are off-limits 
to Embassy staff after dark, including downtown Port-au- 
Prince.  The Embassy restricts travel by its staff to 
some areas outside of Port-au-Prince because of the 
prevailing road, weather, or security conditions.  This 
may constrain our ability to provide emergency services 
to U.S. citizens outside Port-au-Prince.  Demonstrations 
and violence may occasionally limit Embassy operations 
to emergency services, even within Port-au-Prince. 
 
¶6.      The Department of State strongly advises U.S. 
citizens traveling to or residing in Haiti to register 
either online at https://travelregistration.state.gov or 
with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Port- 
au-Prince.  The Consular Section can be reached at (509) 
(2)229-8000 or e-mail address acspap@state.gov.  Travelers 
should also consult the Department of State's latest 
Country Specific Information for Haiti and the Worldwide 
Caution at http://travel.state.gov.  American citizens also 
may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions 
by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United 
States. 
 
¶7.  Minimize considered. 
CLINTON