U.S. Reissues "Do Not Travel" Warning for Haiti Amid Humanitarian Crisis

The U.S. Department of State has reissued its "Do Not Travel" advisory for Haiti, citing escalating violence, organized crime, terrorist activity, civil unrest, and severe shortcomings in the country's healthcare system.

The travel advisory has been in place since July 2023, while Haiti has remained under a state of emergency since March 2024. The United Nations has described the situation as a humanitarian crisis, highlighting the actions of armed gangs, widespread human rights violations, and the displacement of over one million people.

The advisory specifically warns about dangers at the Port-au-Prince International Airport (PAP), where no U.S. commercial flights are currently operating. According to the State Department, travelers have been followed, violently attacked, and robbed shortly after leaving the airport or while entering and exiting hotels in Port-au-Prince.

In the tourism sector, Royal Caribbean Group—a leading cruise company with a significant presence in Haiti through its private destination, Labadee—continues to avoid the country. Once a popular stop for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises, Labadee has been off itineraries since March 2024 and will remain so at least through September 2024.

U.S. authorities strongly urge citizens to avoid all travel to Haiti, emphasizing that the country's security situation and institutional collapse pose extreme risks to personal safety.