US Embassy asks Americans to think before visiting Bahamas as crime increases

Thursday, 25th January 2024

A rise in criminal cases in the Bahamas has led the United States Embassy to issue an advisory for Americans to be aware of while travelling to the island. The travel advisory was issued to watch for a sudden rise in murder rights in just a few days of January 2024.

While releasing the advisory, the US Embassy added that over 18 murders occurred in the Capital city of Nassau in just a few days in 2024. The statement continued to add that murders have occurred at all hours, including in broad daylight on the streets. According to the Embassy officials, "Retaliatory gang violence has been the primary motive in 2024 murders." Furthermore, the government agency also provided the Americans wishing to travel to the Bahamas for any type of work with various steps that they could exercise to help prevent themselves from becoming victims of criminal activity.

The travel advisory is likely to impact tourism in the Bahamas, as each year, thousands of Americans travel to the island for a "Caribbean Vacation". This is most likely to affect the footfall of cruise-ship travellers disembarking in the Bahamas

The actions which the US Embassy urged people to take were as follows:

Exercise extreme caution in the eastern part of New Providence Island (Nassau)
Keep a low profile
Use caution while walking or driving at night
Be aware of the surroundings
Do not physically resist any type of robbery attempts
Review the personal security plans

This type of government advisory has put a negative image on the name of the country. It is to be noted that 2) two days ago, PLP deputy Prime Minister Chester Chooper said that the recent crime wave would not affect the country's tourism product and that he doesn't foreshadow a travel advisory from the United States, and he's not worried. But the United States embassy's travel advisory to its citizens to be careful because of the crime wave that is taking place, which Chester Cooper thinks won't affect them economically has put all his statements to an abrupt state. The citizens and residents are urging the government to take some action immediately and stop this wave of crime. As of January 22, the Bahamas recorded a total of 17 murders following the killing of a man and a woman in separate incidents on Sunday. Most of the murders resulted from gun violence, showing how easy it is for criminals to shoot individuals in the Bahamas. "The Prime Minister needs to address this matter urgently," noted another user. Citizens also took to Facebook to condemn the situation in the country. "And the deputy PM taking about crime ain't gon' effect tourism. I thought he had better sense than that they will soon see it," wrote a user named Keith Wright.