Americans are being urged not to travel to Haiti, where tourists are being kidnapped and held for ransom.

An updated Level 4 alert reports gang violence, kidnappings, and murders. Police in the Caribbean region are struggling to contain the crime spree, it warned. Fox News.

The State Department has issued an updated warning advising Americans against travel to Haiti, citing widespread kidnappings and ransom demands of tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Haiti is a country in the Caribbean Sea, occupying the western part of the island of the same name. It is characterized by general instability and rampant crime.

On the subject: At least 30 people were killed in a stampede at a popular tourist destination in Haiti.

In a travel warning issued on April 16, the US State Department said violent crime remains widespread in the Caribbean country, particularly in its capital, Port-au-Prince.

"The increase in gang activity, organized crime, and terrorist activity has led to increased violence," the alert said, citing gun crime, carjackings, robberies, sexual assaults, kidnappings, and ransom demands.

In addition, officials noted that local law enforcement "has extremely limited capacity to respond to serious crimes, particularly outside Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haitien."

Their statement reads: "When traveling to Haiti, exercise caution and avoid behavior that could violate local laws and lead to arrest and detention. Be alert to potential violations of the law."

Level 4 is the highest of the State Department's alerts. It means Americans may be at risk of serious harm to their lives and should not travel to that country.

While the Level 4 alert has been in effect for some time, the State Department added new language in this month's update.

The report, among other things, speaks of a volatile situation: protests and road blockades "occur frequently and unpredictably," and protesters "sometimes damage or destroy infrastructure and can become aggressive."

In addition, it is noted that "armed anti-gang groups attack and in many cases kill people, particularly US citizens, who are suspected of belonging to gangs, based only on rumors or erroneous information."

There are no commercial flights from US airlines to or from Port-au-Prince, but Americans may choose to fly with foreign airlines or transit routes.

Those already in Haiti are advised to establish a so-called life verification protocol with their family in advance and designate a relative as a contact person in case of abduction.

The warning advises Americans not to offer physical resistance if they are being robbed and to exercise caution when traveling on foot or in a vehicle at night.

You may be interested in: top New York news, stories of our immigrants, and helpful tips about life in the Big Apple - read it all on ForumDaily New York

Earlier this month, US authorities issued a travel warning for Albania, an inexpensive resort destination popular for its Adriatic coast, due to tensions with Iran.

The US Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago said on April 16 that Americans should reconsider travel to the country due to high crime rates.

Read also on ForumDaily:

Americans are hiding illegal immigrants in their basements and spare bedrooms to save them from ICE.

The Trump administration is partially lifting asylum restrictions: who will be affected?

Six Places in the Caribbean Where You Can Live Comfortably on a Small Retirement

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Social media coordinator- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.