Travel Safety Information News

Prior to travel to the Americas, it's vital to check entry requiements, the FCDO website is a good starting point. The crime rates in many Latin American cities is higher than in Europe and since the covid pandemic, many countries continue to face economic unrest. Inflation was very high in Argentina but has stabilised under President Melei and Brazil is in a state of political unrest following the November 2022 election and the jailing of ex-President Bolonsaro in 2025. Ecuador remains unstable due to gang violence and political instability. Tension between the US and Venezuela have increased in the last quarter of 2025.  

Current highlights:

• Guatemala: 30 day state of emergency declared due to gang warfare threat
• Chile: Wild fires south of Santiago kill over 18
• Venezuela: Tensions post US extraction of President Maduro 
• Brazil: Heavy rain forecast for southern areas 
• Honduras: Election results expected
• Peru: Break diplomatic ties with Mexico
• Venezuela: US offer $50m reward for capture of Presient Maduro
• Brazil: Trump to impose 50% trade tariffs
• Ecuador: State of emergency exttended and multiple street protests
• Colombia: Increase paramilitary by some break away rebel groups 
• Colombia: Yellow Fever health emergency declared
• Trinidad & Tobago: State of emergency declared
• Brazil: Extensive flooding in Rio Grand do Sur
• Ecuador: State of emergency continues in some areas
• Brazil: Significant increase in cases of Dengue Fever
• Peru: Increased risk Dengue Fever in lowland areas

View our April 2023 South America Briefing

Travel to the Indian sub-continent is relatively easy provided it is well planned. There are a multitude of different entry requirements and safety and security is an issue in a number of areas such as Kashmir and the tribal areas of Pakistan. Throughout the region, the risk greatest risks are from road traffic accidents and pollution in urban areas. Myanmar (Burma) continues under military rule with sporadic protests and Sri Lanka is beginning to stabilise both politically and economically following the ousting of the Rajapaska presidency. Pakistan is politically and economically unstable and also threatened by growing violence in the NW from the TTP (Tehreek - e - Taliban Pakistan) Islamist group. This group claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing in Peshawar on 30 January 2023 which killed over 100 security forces officers and associates.

Current Highlights:

• Pakistan: Gun attacks in Baluchistan kill over 18
• Nepal: Religious demonstrations in January
• Sri Lanka: Flooding in November affects many parts 
• India: Worsening polution in cities due to winter
• Afghanistan/Pakistan: Ceasefire in place
• Nepal: New PM appointed & elections 5 March 26
• Afghanistan: Earthquake kills over 800
• India: Trump to impose 50% trade tariffs
• India: Increased cases of Dengue Fever in Kamataka
• Sri Lanka: Increased risk of Denge Fever
• Myanmar (Burma): FCDO advises against all but essential travel

Travel to Africa should be well prepared as there are huge variation in the overall safety situation. At a high level, the risk from disease, especaily malaria in West Africa and parts of Southern Africa should be researched and road traffic accidents remain a constant thrreat.

The Sahel is highly unstable, particulary Mali, Chad, Burkina Fasa, Niger, Northern Nigeria. Parts of Somalia and Ethiopia are also in a flux of conflict. In mid April 23 Sudan descended into open civil war between the government/Army and the Rapid Suppoert Forces (RSF).  A coup in early August 23 disposed the elected goverment in Niger but the region into further crisis.  The risk from terrorism is significant in Kenya, parts of Egypt (Sinai).However, many parts of West Africa and Southern Africa are stable - The key is research. Check out the FCDO and also major global risk management companies such as Sibylline, ISOS/CRG, Salamanca & Worldaware.

South Africa will continue to have extensive power cuts for months if not years to come as the energy supply sector is broken. The state of the Zimbabwean economy is desperate with inflation running at about 250%, daily power cuts and mass unemployment, An election is due and Zanu-PF will do what is necessary, including violent repression to stay in power.  

Current highlights:

• DRC: Over 200 dead in mine collapse
• Uganda: Mouseveni relected again 
• Senegal: Wins Cup of African Nations 
• Nigeria: US attacks IS targets in NW
• Ethiopia: Marburg outbreak
• Tanzania: Samia wins presidentail elections with 98% majority - violence reported 
• Tanzania: UK FCDO now advises against all but essential traval due to unrest
• South Africa: G20 meets Jo'burg 22-23 November
• Mali: EU contires advice citizens to leave due to worsening security situation 
• Kenya: heavy rains in some areas, landslide kills 20
• Madagascar: Reports that president has fled country
• Sudan: RSF capture town of El-Fasher & thousands flee
• Kenya: Street protests following opposition leader death (in India) 
• Sudan: Increase political clashes between SAF & RSF
• Angola: Protests due to fuel costs rising
• South Africa: USA imposes 30% tariffs on goods to US
• Zimbabwe: Power outages until at least December
• Mali: Increased attacks on military bases  
• Mali: Islamist attack on town of Boulikessi
• Zimbabwe: Shops shutdown as protests against president
• Sudan: Army recapture Khartoum presidential palace
• DRC: M23 rebels enter Bukavu
• Botswana: Flooding on border with South Africa
• Ivory Coast: French troops to withdrawl
• MPox: spreads to DRC, Kenya, Uganda, 14,000 cases
• Rwanda: Outbreak of Marburg disease
• Nigeria: increase in cases of Chlorea
• Zimbabwe: Accute drought conditions
• Mozambique: Elevated malaria risk
• Zambia: Power cuts anticipated
• Kenya: Continued risk from terrorism
• South Africa: Power cuts continue

Travel to the Chinese mainland for toursim and some businesses opened up again on 15 March '23. The region is generally easy and safe for both the business and recreational traveller, apart from Myanmar which remains unstable following the military coup of Febrary 2021. The military have systematically crushed civil resistance and the FCDO is currently advising against all but essential to Myanmar except for Yangon. Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand present no significant issues to travellers. UK citizens can generally enter visa free for short stays. In the summer of 2025 conflict broke out between Thailand & Cambodia due to a border issue, the situation has calmed down but travellers should avoid the area in dispute. We assess that Thailand is heading for increased political turbulance and indeed the PM was removed by the high court in late 2025.   

Current highlights:

• Thailand/ Cambodia: Ceasefire agreed
• Thailand: Election on 8 Feb 
• Indonesia: Over 900 dead in Sumatra floodings
• Vietnam: Flooding kills over 90  
• Indonesia: Increased volcanic activity Mout Semeru 
• Myanmar: Mil retake large areas of territory 
• Thailand/Cambodia: Some border clashes despite ceasefire
• Thailand: Some political protests continue 
• Malaysia: Search for wreckage of MH 370 to start again
• Indonesia: Volcanic eruption on Flores island
• Vietnam: Increased risk of Dengue Fever in Hanoi
• Cambodia: Water shortage in some cities
• Philippines: Increased terrorism threat in Mindanao Province

Travellers to the USA and Canada must ensure they have the correct entry permissions/documents. For the USA, most visitors will be able to enter on an ESTA, however, those who have travelled to USA restricted countries such as Yemen, Iraq and Iran must obtain a visa.

The USA is certainly a more challenging country than Canada due to the ever-increasing political divide and the racial and religious tensions and threat of gun violence including mass shootings which can occur in schools, cinemas and shopping areas.

Current Highlights:

• USA: Tension in Minnesota following ICE shooting
• Canada: Heavy snow forecast for British Colombia   
• Canada: Massive wildfires in Manitoba & Saskatchewan