The Week Ahead: January 6, 2024

Date

Europe
  • Italy: Travel Advisory | On January 10, public transportation workers will strike nationwide across Italy to advocate for increased pay and improved working conditions. Public transportation services will likely face major disruptions while the strike persists. Travelers should make alternative transportation arrangements if necessary.
  • London, United Kingdom: Protest Advisory | On January 8, protesters will gather in London, United Kingdom to demonstrate against the separation of children from their families by social services. Travelers should avoid all protests.
  • France: Protest Advisory | Over the coming days, farmers plan to stage demonstrations and block roads across France. This comes in response to agricultural legislation. Heightened security and travel delays are likely. Travelers should confirm routes before traveling and expect delays. Avoid all protests and obey security directives. Monitor local media for updates. 
  • Regionwide: Protest Advisory | Over the coming weeks, protests related to the conflict in the Middle East are expected in multiple cities. Protests are confirmed in Dublin, Ireland; Brussels, Belgium; and London, UK on January 6. Paris, France on January 8. London, UK on January 18. Travelers are advised to avoid all protests and protest locations. Expect increased security presence and obey all security directives. Monitor local media for updates.  
Americas
  • Ecuador: Security Advisory | Through March 2, a state of emergency and curfews have been declared in multiple regions of Ecuador, including Quito. The SoE is in response to an increase in violent crime. Increased security is likely, especially near government buildings, banks, and prisons. Travelers are advised to exercise increased situational awareness and obey all security directives. Monitor local media for updates and anticipate travel delays. 
  • Santander, Colombia: Travel Advisory | On January 6, truck drivers plan to strike in regards to fuel and toll prices. Roadblocks are anticipated on major roads. Increased security is likely. Travelers are advised to confirm travel routes before departure. Obey all security directives and monitor local media for updates.
  • Santiago, Chile: Travel Advisory | Over the coming days, flight disruptions are likely at Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport due to a runway closure. The closure is caused by a minor landing accident on January 5. Travelers are advised to reconfirm flights. Monitor local media for updates.
  • La Paz, El Salvador: Disaster Advisory | Over the coming days, disruption to transportation and utility infrastructure are likely following a 6.2 magnitude earthquake. No tsunami advisories were issued, but transportation delays and utility outages are possible as authorities conduct damage inspections. Travelers should heed all emergency directives and monitor local media for updates. Charge devices and stockpile water if possible.  
Asia & Pacific
  • Taipei, Taiwan: Protest Advisory | On January 11, protesters will gather in Taipei, Taiwan at Freedom Square. The Taiwan People’s Party has organized the protest to advocate against the perceived unfair treatment of the former mayor of Taipei. Travelers should avoid all protests and related activity.
  • South Korea: Weather Advisory | Over the coming days, heavy snow, fog, and strong winds are expected nationwide. Travel disruptions are likely. Travelers are advised to confirm flights and public transportation before departing. Monitor weather reports and obey all government directives.
  • National Capital Region, India: Health Advisory | Over the coming weeks, a high air quality index is forecasted to present a significant health risk. Heavy smog may cause transportation disruptions. Travelers are advised to keep windows and doors closed and wear an N95 mask while outdoors. Do not drive if visibility is poor. Reconfirm all travel. Monitor local media for updates.
  • Putrajaya, Malaysia: Protest Advisory | On January 6, activists plan to demonstrate outside the Palace of Justice in support of former prime minister Najib Razak. A large attendance is anticipated, and heightened security is likely. Traffic disruptions are likely. Travelers are advised to avoid the protest area and reconfirm travel routes. Anticipate extended travel times. Monitor local media for updates.  
Africa & Middle East
  • Accra, Ghana: Security Advisory | Through January 7, security presence will be increased throughout Accra, Ghana for the upcoming presidential inauguration. Multiple gatherings are scheduled over the coming days in support of the President. Travel restrictions will be implemented for the surrounding area.
  • Morocco: Protest Advisory | On January 6, protesters will gather nationwide across Morocco. The Democratic Confederation of Labour union has planned the protests in opposition to recent government efforts to restrict the right to strike. Heightened security presence and widespread travel disruptions are expected.
  • İzmir and Eşkisehir, Türkiye: Health Advisory | From January 6-10, Turkish healthcare workers will strike in response to salary cuts for physicians. No related demonstrations have been announced yet. Travelers are advised to find alternative medical treatment while the strikes persist.
  • Kenya: Protest Advisory | On January 6, protesters will demonstrate in cities across Kenya. Activists demand the release of political prisoners and the resignation of president Ruto. Police are likely to use force to disperse gatherings, and fights between protesters and police are likely. Avoid all protests and obey security directives. Monitor local media for updates. 

Recent
Advisories

Student unions call for nationwide demonstrations across France on October 6; localized disruption and unrest possible.

L’Union Étudiante and the Union Syndicale Lycéenne have called for a nationwide student mobilization on October 6, with FAGE and UNEF also supporting the movement. Protestors are calling for increased education funding, staffing, and improved learning conditions. Recent protests have involved blockades, property damage, clashes with police, and arrests, increasing the risk of localized disruption and unrest. Specific gathering points, routes, times, and expected turnout have not yet been confirmed.

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Protestors will rally at Plaza de las Tres Culturas to the Zócalo in Mexico City, Mexico, on October 2 at 4:00 PM

Protesters will march in remembrance of the 1968 student killings, marking the 58th anniversary of the Tlatelolco massacre. The march will begin at Plaza de las Tres Culturas and terminate at the city’s central square, the Zócalo. Police and government officials have fenced and placed barriers along the route to discourage violence and unrest. Given the march’s history unrest and disruption remain possible.

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Flight crew unions will strike nationwide in France from October 17-21; expect flight cancellations and delays.

Five French crew unions: UNSA PNC, SNPNC-FO, SNGAF, SNPL, and UNAC, are calling for a nationwide strike from October 17-21, in response to a new law cutting state pensions starting on or after January 1, 2027. As of October 3, airlines have not yet updated flight schedules for the strike period. However, because the strike includes all flight crew covered under French labor laws, widespread cancellations and delays are likely.

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