Countries New Yorkers Are Urged To Avoid Due To Safety Risks

New Yorkers should avoid traveling to these 8 places under threat of detainment, violence, and even death. U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs has issued dire warnings regarding international travel. The U.S. Department of State issues travel advisories for citizens. Travel advisories are assigned levels numbered 1 through 4. A level 4 advisory is the most severe, which advises, “Do not travel,”

“This is the highest advisory level due to life-threatening risks. Specific risks are described in the Travel Advisory. The U.S. government may have very limited or no ability to help, including during an emergency. We advise that U.S. citizens do not travel to the country, or to leave as soon as it is safe to do so.”

Travel advisories that are considered levels 1 and 2 are reviewed by the Dept. of State every 12 months. Those considered levels 3 and 4 are reviewed at least every 6 months.

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If you and your family or friends are planning to take a summer vacation or visit family, under no circumstances should you travel to any of these level 4 locations. You may be risking your health, safety, and freedom by doing so. Due, in part, to the political climate in America, citizens are considered persona non grata in many places around the world.

Level 4 travel advisories have been issued to the following countries:

Burma (Myanmar) Travel Advisory

A “do not travel” advisory was issued for Burma on May 12, 2025. The advisory was issued due to armed conflict in the area. The State Dept. says that there is,

“Potential for civil unrest, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, poor health infrastructure, land mines and unexploded ordnance, crime, and wrongful detentions.”

Afghanistan Travel Advisory

The State Dept. issued a level 4 travel advisory for Afghanistan on January 13, 2025. There is a threat of kidnapping, wrongful detention, terrorism, civil unrest, and crime in Afghanistan. In addition, there are limited health facilities.

Belarus Travel Advisory

The State Dept. issued the level 4 advisory for Belarus on December 18, 2024. The Belarus government may be arbitrarily enforcing local laws, putting travelers from New York at risk of detention.

Somalia Travel Advisory

The State Dept. reccommends New Yorkers avoid travel to Somolia,

“Do not travel to Somalia due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health, kidnapping, piracy, and lack of availability of routine consular services.”

Venezuela Travel Advisory

A ‘Do Not Travel’ advisory has been issued for Venezuela. The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs says there is a threat of crime, civil unrest, kidnappings, and the arbitrary enforcement of local laws. The country also has a poor health infrastructure. All diplomatic personnel were withdrawn from the country due to the above threats. There is a great chance that New Yorkers could be unlawfully detained for as long as five years.

Russia Travel Advisory

The risk of traveling to Russia is high for New Yorkers due to its ongoing war with Ukraine. New Yorkers who do not heed the warning face harassment, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, and wrongful detention by Russian officials. There is also a possibility of terrorism. The travel advisory was issued on May 8, 2025.

The Republic of Haiti Travel Advisory

A ‘Do Not Travel’ advisory has been issued for Haiti. The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs says,

“Do not travel to Haiti due to kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and poor health care infrastructure. On July 27, 2023, the Department of State ordered the departure of family members of U.S. government employees and non-emergency U.S. government employees.”

Kidnappings are widespread in Haiti, and New Yorkers may be at risk. In addition, violent crimes, such as armed robberies and carjackings, have increased.

Burkina Faso Travel Advisory

A level 4 travel warning was issued on April 16, 2025, due to the potential for terrorism, crime, and kidnapping.

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