US warns US citizens not to visit parts of Brazil

DF border lines, slums and satellite cities are on the list; authorities are prohibited from taking municipal buses anywhere in the country

The government of the United States raised the alert level to Americans traveling to parts of Brazil on Tuesday, 14, because of the violence in the country. The State Department has posted on its website that citizens “should not visit” Brazilian slums and some satellite cities of Brasilia and avoid a distance of less than 150 kilometers from Brazil's northern and southwestern borders - such as the borders with Venezuela, Colombia and Paraguay - because of high crime. These three areas are at alert level 4, the highest and intended for countries such as Iran , Iraq, Syria, North Korea and Venezuela.

The areas of concern, as explained, are that “neither a travel agent nor the police can guarantee their safety”. In favelas, he said, visits should be avoided especially during clashes between rival factions or between criminals and the police.

The State Department further warns that "while some favelas may have clear boundaries or gates, others may not have such obvious demarcations." On December 30, a Swiss tourist was shot upon entering the Cidade Alta community, in the northern zone of Rio de Janeiro, by GPS indication.

Regarding the Federal District, the US government warns its citizens not to visit the satellite cities of Ceilândia, Santa Maria, São Sebastião and Paranoá at night - specifically, between 18h and 6h.

Americans should also avoid areas about 150 kilometers from the Brazilian border with Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and Paraguay - equivalent to over 85% of the land border. of Brazil. Iguaçu National Park and Matogrossense Pantanal National Park are the only exceptions. US government officials are prohibited from visiting these areas.

'Utmost caution'

Brazil, as a whole, is considered level 2 travel alert - visit with “greatest caution” - the same degree as France and Italy. The only factor of concern in traveling anywhere in Brazil is crime. “Violent crime such as murder, armed robbery, and car theft are common in urban areas, both morning and night. Gang activity and organized crime is widespread, ”says the agency.

For their civil servants, the restrictions are even greater in places considered safer. "US government officials are discouraged from using city buses anywhere in Brazil because of the high risk of theft and robbery at any time of day," the State Department concluded.

Among the 12 tips for Americans who want to visit the country, the Department advises “avoid beach walks at night” and “show no signs of wealth”.

As a means of attracting greater influx of tourists from the United States, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro released them from the visa requirement in March 2019 without requiring reciprocity for Brazilians traveling to that country. The move was announced on the eve of his first meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington. At the end of the year, Bolsonaro celebrated the 22% drop in violent deaths in the first half. "There is no doubt that we are on the right track," he tweeted.