The Week Ahead: February 19, 2024

Date

Europe
  • Madrid, Spain: Protest Advisory | On February 21, a protest involving tractor convoys is expected to take place outside the Ministry of Agriculture. Travelers should expect travel disruptions and avoid all demonstrations by planning alternative routes.
  • Athens, Greece: Protest Advisory | On February 22, a 24 hour strike involving healthcare workers is expected outside of the Ministry of Health and Mavili Square. Travelers should locate undisrupted medical facilities in case of emergencies and monitor local media for updates.
  • Prague, Czech Republic: Protest Advisory | On February 22, farmers plan to restrict access to major highways using agricultural vehicles, following European Union agricultural policies. Travelers should monitor local media for updates and plan alternative routes to avoid travel delays.
  • The Hague, Netherlands: Protest Advisory | On February 23, human rights activists will protest at the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands. Protestors are denouncing human rights abuses in the West Papua province. Travelers should monitor local media for travel delays and avoid large crowds near the Peace Palace.
  • Hanover, Germany: Protest Advisory | From February 19 to February 21, a strike is planned in Hanover, Germany. The Verdi trade union is demanding better pay and additional time off. The strike is expected to be peaceful but will likely affect public transport. Travelers should avoid the affected area and review and adjust travel plans accordingly. 
  • Algeciras & Valencia, Spain: Protest Advisory | On February 22, in both Algeciras and Valencia, Spain, farmers will demonstrate against EU agricultural policies at major ports. Farmers will block the Port of Algeciras. Farmers in Valencia will demonstrate at the Edificio del Reloj at the Port of Valencia. Travelers are advised to avoid demonstrations and plan routes that bypass protest locations. Monitor local media for any updates on demonstrations.
Americas
  • Nationwide, Haiti: Protest Advisory | Over the coming days, expect nationwide protests demanding the resignation of the Prime Minister. Past protests became violent, resulting in multiple deaths. Travelers are advised to avoid all demonstrations and monitor local media for updates.
  • Nationwide, Ecuador: Weather Advisory | From February 16 to at least February 21, heavy rainfall and severe weather are expected across Ecuador, resulting in possible flooding, landslides, and power outages. Travelers are advised to monitor the weather and local news, and remain indoors if weather conditions are unsafe. 
  • Nationwide, Brazil: Weather Advisory | Through February 20, there is a severe weather warning for southeast Brazil. A subtropical cyclone is expected off the coast of Rio de Janeiro, with heavy rain and strong winds. Floods and landslides are possible. Power outages and telecommunications disruptions are likely. Travelers should review travel plans and adjust them accordingly, avoid travel in unsafe conditions, and monitor the media for updates. 
  • Lima, Peru: Protest Advisory | On February 21, protesters in Lima, Peru, will march from the Plaza Dos de Mayo to the Congress of the Republic. Protestors are organizing against corruption and the privatization of Lima Water and Sewer Service. Travelers should monitor local media and avoid areas near the protest.
Asia & Pacific
  • Nationwide, Indonesia: Security Advisory | Following the general elections on February 14 and leading up to the release of the results on March 20, expect heightened security across Indonesia. Protests are likely. Travelers should carry ID with them at all times and obey all security directives. 
  • Victoria, Australia: Disaster Advisory | Following storms on February 13, power outages across Victoria State are expected to take weeks to resolve. Travelers should expect major disruptions to all services, organize food and clean water, and prepare to be without power for an indefinite period of time. 
  • Nationwide, India: Weather Advisory | From February 17 to 22, there is a nationwide weather advisory. Expect heavy rainfall and snow across the Western Himalayas and the northwestern plains. There is also a possibility of thunderstorms, hailstorms, and strong winds. Travelers should review travel plans and adjust accordingly; avoid travel in severe conditions; stay in contact with your program leader; and monitor the media for updates. 
  • Dhaka, Bangladesh: Protest Advisory | Nationwide protests are planned for February 19, demanding an investigation into recent money laundering incidents. A protest is expected in Dhaka at the National Press Club. Other protests are expected outside of bank offices at divisional and district headquarters. All protests are anticipated to be peaceful, but authorities will use force if protests become disruptive. Travelers should avoid large crowds, refrain from participating in demonstrations, and monitor the media for updates.
Africa & Middle East
  • Nicosia and Limassol, Cyprus: Protest Advisory | On February 24, protests will occur in support of Ukraine and denouncing Russia’s invasion. Protestors are expected to gather outside the Russian Embassy in Nicosia and outside the Consulate General of Russia in Limassol. Travelers should not participate in protests, avoid large crowds, plan routes around protests, and monitor the media for updates.
  • Nationwide, Senegal: Protest Advisory | The February 25 presidential election in Senegal has been postponed to December 15. Expect more protests in the coming week.  
  • Nationwide, Democratic Republic of the Congo: Protest Advisory | Anticipate further anti-Western protests near foreign embassies. Travelers are advised to avoid all demonstrations and contact their embassy or program leaders if they feel unsafe.
  • Nationwide, Zimbabwe: Health Advisory | A recent cholera outbreak has caused over 500 deaths. Travelers are advised to be vaccinated against cholera and ensure sanitary consumption.

Recent
Advisories

Commercial truckers will strike across Mexico starting October 26; expect nationwide disruptions in shipping services.

Mexican trucking unions Canacar, Conatram, Indeco, Fematrac and Hamotac have called the nationwide strike to demand improved security against extortion and cargo theft, as well as better highway conditions. Strike organizers are also denouncing the Mexican Senate’s proposed cuts to tax incentives for truckers in the 2027 budget. Estimates say the strike will affect 1.2 million trucks nationwide. The strike is scheduled to last indefinitely once it begins on October 26.

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The United States updated its United Arab Emirates advisory on October 24 to include terrorism risks; reconsider travel itineraries.

The Department of State updated its travel advisory for the United Arab Emirates due to the possibility of terrorism and armed conflict related to the war with Iran. The country alert remains at level 3, ‘reconsider travel’, but this new information reflects the heightened possibility of attack that comes in tandem with Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia. Other countries whose travel advisories were updated include Bahrain, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia.

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Turkey will celebrate Republic Day nationwide on October 28 and 29; expect large crowds, travel delays, and business closures.

Republic Day celebrates the founding of the Turkish State. Festivities begin at 1:00 PM on October 28 and continue through October 29, with parades, concerts, fireworks, and gatherings at monuments to Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, Turkey’s first president. Banks, schools, and government agencies will be closed, and some bus routes will be diverted. Istanbul’s October 29 parade will close Adnan Menderes Blvd (Vatan Caddesi) from 5:45 AM until the ceremony ends.

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