Planes are taking off, cruise ships are departing, and gas tanks are being filled — but before you head out the door, make sure that your destination is safe in the eyes of the US Department of State.
The Department of State actively monitors nations across the globe and delivers travel warnings and advisories to Americans via its website.
Naturally, some places are more dangerous than others. That’s why they use a level rating, as described here:
- Level One – Exercise normal precautions
- Level Two – Exercise increased caution
- Level Three – Reconsider travel
- Level Four – Do not travel
So far, the department has issued five Level Four warnings in 2024:
- Burma (Myanmar): Jan. 22, 2024
- Gaza: April 11, 2024
- Iran: Jan. 11, 2024
- Iraq: April 24, 2024
- Venezuela: May 13, 2024
Additionally, department has listed 12 locations at Level Three in 2024:
- Colombia: Jan. 2, 2024
- Israel: April 11, 2024
- Jamaica: Jan. 23, 2024
- Lebanon:Jan. 29, 2024
- Macau: April 12, 2024
- Mainland China: April 12, 2024
- New Caledonia: June 4, 2024
- Nicaragua: Jan. 11, 2024
- Niger: Jan. 8, 2024
- Papua New Guinea: Jan. 17, 2024
- Saudi Arabia: Jan. 24, 2024
- West Bank: April 11, 2024
The department has additionally put out a cautionary warning on a global scale, “Due to the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations, or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests… The Department of State is aware of the increased potential for foreign terrorist organization-inspired violence against LGBTQI+ persons and events and advises U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased caution.”