The Week Ahead: March 11, 2024

Date

Europe
  • Malaga, Spain: Travel Advisory | On March 13, farmers will use tractors to protest in front of the Government Sub-delegation in Malaga along the highway. Expect major disruptions along the highway due to the blockage and plan alternate travel routes.
  • France: Travel Advisory | On March 12, port officers throughout France will lead a nationwide strike over understaffing. Maritime and local transportation will likely be disrupted. Travelers should avoid all related demonstrations, plan alternative routes in advance to circumvent travel delays, and monitor local media for updates.
  • Madrid, Spain: Health Advisory | On March 13, protests are expected at various healthcare institutions regarding wages, infrastructure development, and accessibility to healthcare. Travel to hospitals and access to healthcare services may be affected. Travelers should find unaffected institutions in case of emergencies and monitor local media for updates.
  • Berlin, Germany: Protest Advisory | On March 16, multiple groups led by Stand Up Against Racism will lead a demonstration at the office of the Desiderius Erasmus Foundation at 2:00 PM to condemn views associated with the German political party Alternative for Germany. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to avoid protest locations and demonstrations. Plan routes that bypass the affected area and monitor local media for updates.
The Americas
  • Nationwide, Peru: Weather Advisory | In the coming weeks, expect heavy rainfall across Peru. The National Meteorology and Hydrology Service has issued alerts for heavy rainfall throughout the country, with orange warnings indicating the second-highest level of severity and red warnings representing the highest level on a three-tier scale. The risk of flooding and landslides is elevated across the country, especially in low-lying and mountainous regions.
  • Ontario & Quebec: Weather Advisory | Through at least March 11, severe weather is forecast across parts of eastern Ontario and southern Quebec. Weather is expected to include freezing rain and snow as the system moves east through the region, likely affecting travel throughout the week. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to confirm all transport ahead of time and to allow additional time for travel. Do not attempt to cross flooded roadways. Monitor local media for updates. 
  • Mexico City, Mexico: Protest Advisory | On March 11, residents and transport workers from Pachuca and Mineral de la Reforma plan to block Federal Highway 85 (Carretera Mexico-Pachuca) outside Mexico City to protest water scarcity. Protests begin at 8:00 AM on March 10 and 7:00 AM on March 11. Travelers should expect delays and plan routes to avoid the areas of the protests. 
  • Nationwide, Argentina: Travel Advisory | From March 13 until March 14, unionized bus workers in Argentina will strike nationwide. The strike will likely impact major urban centers throughout the country. Travelers should expect major travel disruptions and avoid all protests related to the strike.
Asia & Pacific
  • Jakarta, Indonesia: Protest Advisory | Throughout this week, expect protests linked to the Indonesian general election results being announced on March 20. Protestors may gather to denounce electoral irregularities and the presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to avoid all protests. Plan routes that bypass affected locations and allow for additional travel time. 
  • Melbourne, Australia; Protest Advisory | On March 16 at 1:00 PM, anti-AUKUS protestors will demonstrate outside the State Library Victoria to denounce Australia acquiring nuclear-powered submarines. Travelers may experience difficulty accessing the library. Travelers should avoid all protests and make plans to circumnavigate the area.  
  • Tamil Nadu, India; Protest Advisory | On March 12 at 10:00 AM, members of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) will protest statewide to denounce the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam party’s failure to stop the population’s growing drug issue. Travelers should avoid all protests, and stay vigilant around large crowds. 
  • Yerevan, Armenia: Protest Advisory | On March 13, protestors are expected to gather at Freedom Square to demand the resignation of the Prime Minister. Past protests have resulted in clashes with authorities. Travelers are advised to avoid all related demonstrations and monitor local media for updates.
Africa & Middle East
  • Nationwide, Zambia: Disaster Advisory | Beginning March 11, the Zambian government will impose nationwide daily power cuts. The government implemented this electricity rationing due to a severe drought that has negatively impacted hydropower generation. Travelers should ensure accommodation is equipped with power generators and prioritize access to safe drinking water. 
  • Amhara, Ethiopia: Security Advisory | In the coming weeks, avoid all travel to the Amhara region due to violent conflict between the Fano militia group and the military. Authorities issued a state of emergency for Amhara until June, and disruptions to road travel and communications are common. Travelers should avoid the region and contact program leaders if they feel unsafe.
  • Senegal: Security Advisory | In the coming weeks, widespread heightened security and political rallies regarding the Presidential Election will disrupt travel nationwide. Travelers should plan travel in advance to circumvent delays and establish alternative means of transportation.
  • Mogadishu, Somalia: Security Advisory | On March 10, Bakaara Market caught fire due to suspected explosives, killing one and destroying several stores. Expect associated service disruptions in the coming days at the market, and follow all security directives as authorities investigate the incident.

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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