BRITAIN, Canada, Australia and the United States are still warning their nationals about the risks of travelling to Trinidad and Tobago.
They all warn about the crime levels in the country, and some even continue advise about a threat of terrorism.
Several countries have been issuing travel warnings or advisories about T&T for the past three years when the homicide and kidnappings rate began to escalate.
On Monday, Britain’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) updated the travel advisory on its Web site
www.fco.gov.uk to warn travellers “you should be aware that there are high levels of violent crime, including shootings and kidnappings.”
It notes that “British nationals have been victims of violent attacks, particularly in Tobago where law enforcement is weak.”
It also states that “cruise ship passengers should take particular care when walking along the docks and downtown (Port-of-Spain).”
Giving examples of British nationals being attacked, injured and robbed, it warns of an increase in attacks at tourist sites and car parks of supermarkets, shopping malls, restaurants and business premises.
In Tobago, it says, visits are generally trouble-free but refers to incidents of robbery and violence, including rape.
It advises caution in renting villas in the south-west of the island, near Bethel, Buccoo, Mount Pleasant and Plymouth.
The Web site also carries a country profile which states: “Trans-shipment of illegal drugs, money-laundering and associated violent crime are all problems that Trinidad and Tobago faces. It also has a high level of domestic violence. The prison population is high.”
CANADA
Similarly, Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs maintains a “high degree of caution” when visiting T&T, “due to high crime rates.”
Its Travel Advice notes that “robberies with violence, including assaults and rape, occur frequently” in Port-of-Spain, San Fernando and other urban areas.
It says “crimes of opportunity such as petty theft tend to increase during...Carnival in February or March and during the Christmas holidays.”
As it has in the past, it maintains that “incidents of gangs following cars leaving Piarco Airport and robbing travellers once they reach their destination have been reported.”
In a one-sentence reference to Tobago, it states “tourists and foreign nationals are also victims of crime” on the island.
AUSTRALIA
Australia carries a more succinct Travel Advice which also warns a “high degree of caution” due to “high levels of serious crime.”
It says “armed robbery is common and “the number of violent crimes, including assault, sexual assault, kidnapping and murder continues to increase.”
It advises that “local authorities, particularly in Tobago, often have limited capacity to provide assistance.”
THE US
The US State Department’s Web site’s information on T&T has not changed since April 13, 2007.
It, too, states that “incidents of violent crime have been steadily on the rise on both islands.”
It goes on to warn against using maxi taxis as they “have been linked to many road accidents and some instances of crime.
A spokesman at the US Embassy in Port-of-Spain said yesterday there have been no major incidents of late to prompt any change in the Consular Information on T&T.
TERRORISM
To Britain, “there is an underlying threat from terrorism” in T&T, according to the FCO Web site.
It states, “Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.”
It continues to make reference to some explosions that took place two years ago: “There were five separate bombings in Port-of-Spain between July and October 2005, in which a number of people were injured. These incidents look to have been domestically-motivated.”
The US does not mention terrorism, but makes reference to the 2005 bombings. It says, “While no similar incidents have occurred since that time, the perpetrator(s) have not been arrested and their identities and motive remain unknown. Americans living or visiting Port-of-Spain are advised to exercise caution, especially in crowded urban areas.”
Canada also carries no terrorism warning on its Travel Advice, and Australia notes only that “terrorism is a threat throughout the world.”
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