01 February 2024 , 14:03
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US authorities have issued a travel warning to its citizens after a recent spate of brutal murders in Jamaica - urging travellers not to walk or drive at night in the country.
According to the US State Department, travellers are being asked to reconsider visiting the country after changing its Level 3 travel advisory for Jamaica due to its "violent crimes, such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides".
On Monday, local media reported that this month's murder tally of 65 included 19 murders during the last week alone. The US Embassy in Nassau also revealed on January 24 that there had been 18 murders in the capital city since the beginning of the year, which had "occurred at all hours including in broad daylight on the streets."
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Andrew Holness is Jamaica's prime minister (Bloomberg via Getty Images)It is believed most of the recent killings were linked to gang violence as authorities urged travellers to "exercise extreme caution in the eastern part of New Providence Island (Nassau)" and to be extra careful if walking or driving at night.
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"Do not physically resist any robbery attempt," the embassy warned, adding a suggestion for visitors to review their "personal security plans."
The US Embassy in Jamaica warned travellers that police "often do not respond effectively to serious criminal incidents." The advisory said that hospitals and ambulances are not always reliable and some private institutions may require cash up front. It also advised to obtain travel insurance, as US health insurance may not be accepted.
“We strongly encourage you to obtain traveller’s insurance, including medical evacuation insurance, before traveling to Jamaica,” the advisory states. “The Department of State does not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept US health insurance.”
A warning has also been stretched to all inclusives (Getty Images/iStockphoto)"The homicide rate reported by the Government of Jamaica has, for several years, been among the highest in the Western Hemisphere," the alert reads. Multiple Jamaican neighbourhood communities were lablled high-risk travel areas.
The travel alert change comes days after the US State Department issued a level 2 advisory for the Bahamas and advised travellers to "exercise increased caution" in the area and the water.
"Activities involving commercial recreational watercraft, including water tours, are not consistently regulated. Watercraft may be poorly maintained, and some operators may not have safety certifications. Always review and heed local weather and marine alerts before engaging in water-based activities," the alert explained.
Despite the warnings, Jamaica's Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, said in December that he expected a "spectacular growth pattern" seen during 2022 and 2023 to continue.
"The island should record a total of 4,122,100 visitors for the period January to December, 2023," he said, according to a statement on his ministry's website. "This would signal an increase of 23.7% over the total number of visitors recorded in 2022."
Tourism brought nearly £3.3billion into Jamaica's economy in 2023, according to the ministry.