The effects of climate change create significant challenges for travelers abroad. Extreme temperatures, frequent natural disasters, and shortages of resources, including food and water, threaten traveler safety worldwide. Travelers need to be aware of and prepared for the impacts of climate change on destinations abroad.
Citizens of Ireland are leading anti-migrant protests more frequently nationwide due to the steep increase in asylum applications over the past year. Many such protests have turned violent, with protestors setting fires and clashing with police. In the coming weeks, an increased security presence and travel disruptions near asylum sites due to unrest are likely. Although the government is working on a better approach to immigrant integration, it will take time to implement new policies.
Cities in Mexico are at risk of running out of clean drinking water due to low-capacity reservoirs and diminished aquifers caused by droughts during the El Niño season. The water crisis will likely persist in the coming months due to a lack of rainfall; however, Mexico’s government has announced intentions to repair and create water infrastructure to help mitigate the water shortage, which will affect water flow throughout the cities. Demonstrations and roadblocks in response to the ongoing water crisis have caused travel disruptions throughout several cities.
The dissolution of a Parliament is the simultaneous termination of all its members in preparation for a new election occurring before the general election. French President Emmanuel Macron set forth a dissolution and terminated the lower house of the French Parliament, moving forward with the election process.
In May 2024, Georgia’s parliament passed a controversial foreign agent bill requiring organizations receiving over 20 percent of their funding from abroad to register as foreign agents. As a result, such organizations are subject to additional scrutiny from the Georgian government via targeted legislation and additional auditing/reporting of operations. This legislation received backlash, with opposition arguing that it stifles freedom of speech and is similar to suppressive Russian laws. Protests have since erupted with demonstrators clashing with police, who used tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds. SafeAbroad analysts assess that this has created an unsafe environment for travelers, especially in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi where protests are more frequent and intense.
SafeAbroad analysts have assessed the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics to be a moderate risk at this time. With 10,500 athletes from 206 National Olympic Committees competing across 41 venues, the Games promise to attract a massive audience, with an estimated 15 million visitors expected in Paris alone. Security concerns for travelers encompass a heightened risk of terrorism, geopolitical conflicts, and local tensions.
SafeAbroad analysts have assessed the current dispute between the South American countries of Guyana and Venezuela over the territory of Essequibo. While Venezuela is posturing its military on the Essequibo borders, SafeAbroad analysts have predicted that the outbreak of war is unlikely.
On January 8, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa declared a state of emergency following the escape of the country’s most dangerous drug lord from prison and an increase in associated unrest nationwide, including amongst penitentiaries. The state of emergency will last for 60 days. The military will be deployed to combat criminal groups responsible for spreading violence, a curfew has been established, and the right to assembly has been paused. Law enforcement officials from the United States have been sent to Ecuador to collaborate with the government to prevent the growth of transnational criminal organizations in light of José Adolfo Macías Villamar’s escape.
SafeAbroad analysts have assessed that there is a high degree of likelihood that the majority of the Milei Government’s reforms will be approved by the National Congress, at the latest …
Forecast Report: Argentinian Reforms and Unrest Under Milei Read More »
On December 21, a mass shooter opened fire at the Faculty of Arts building of Charles University in central Prague, Czech Republic, killing 15 and wounding 25. Three foreign nationals were injured in the attack — two from the United Arab Emirates and one from the Netherlands. At the time of this writing, there is no indication that any American travelers were among the casualties. Expect an increased prevalence of demonstrations, such as vigils for victims, related to the shooting and heightened security on the Charles University campus and in the surrounding areas in the wake of the shooting.
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