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Things may not be so safe in a tropical paradise.
The U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas issued a warning and travel advisory to Americans on Wednesday, citing the 18 murders that have occurred on the island nation since Jan. 1.
“Murders took place on the streets around the clock, including in broad daylight,” the warning said. “Gang retaliation was the primary motive for the 2024 killings.”
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An aerial view of Nassau, Bahamas. The State Department is warning Americans traveling to the island nation of a rise in murders this year. (iStock)
The embassy warned Americans traveling to the Bahamas to “exercise extreme caution” and exercise restraint in the eastern part of New Providence Island.
U.S. officials also urged travelers to the island not to physically resist robberies and to exercise caution when traveling at night.
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The State Department placed the Bahamas under an “Increased Caution During Physical Activity” warning, saying gang violence was the reason for the increase in murders.
“Violent crimes such as burglaries, armed robberies and sexual assaults occur in both tourist and non-tourist areas,” the warning says. “Be vigilant when staying at short-term rental properties that do not have private security companies present.”
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Aerial view of small atolls in Exuma, Bahamas. (Getty Images/File)
Attempts to contact the Bahamian Embassy in Washington DC were unsuccessful.
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In response to the rise in crime, Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis said authorities would set up roadblocks and launch more police operations, the Nassau Guardian reported.
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“We will not violate anyone's civil liberties, but you will likely be affected by further roadblocks and unannounced police operations,” he said. “It may cause you to be late for your appointments or delay plans you have, but that is a small price to pay for the collective benefit of making our streets safer and our lives less disrupted by murder and other violent crime .”
Earlier this week, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised Jamaica to reconsider travel.
“Violent crimes such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults and murders occur frequently. Sexual assault occurs frequently, even at all-inclusive resorts,” the warning says. “Local police often do not respond effectively to serious crimes. Arrests rarely result in a final verdict.”