Brazil (Security threat level – 3) : During the afternoon of 15 February 2022, heavy rains caused significant flooding and landslides in the city of Petrópolis, located in the mountainous region of the state of Rio de Janeiro. At least 80 homes were destroyed in the Alto da Serra neighborhood. Additionally, 24 de Maio, Caxambu, Moinho Preto, Vila Felipe, Vila Militar, Uruguay, Washington Luiz, Sargento Boening and Coronel Veiga streets were filled with mud and debris. At least 39 people were killed. Authorities are currently conducting search and rescue operations.
Canada (Security threat level – 2): On 15 February 2022, the Canadian government declared that coronavirus-related entry requirements will be eased for fully vaccinated inbound travelers beginning on 28 February. Fully vaccinated travelers will then be allowed to show proof of a negative result from a rapid antigen test taken within one day before travel, instead of the currently required negative result from a PCR test taken within 72 hours before travel. In addition, travelers will be randomly selected for COVID-19 testing upon entry and will not be required to self-isolate while awaiting results of the on-arrival test. Further information as outlined by the Public Health Agency of Canada is available here.
Guatemala (Security threat level – 4): At approximately 0115 local time (0715 UTC) on 16 February 2022, a 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck the town of Nueva Concepción — located nearly 150 km (93 mi) southwest of the capital Guatemala City — at an estimated depth of 83 km, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Strong shaking was reported near the epicenter and throughout the southwestern areas of the country. Meanwhile, light shaking was reported in Guatemala City and as far away as the town of Chalchuapa, El Salvador. Power outages were reported in the areas of Quetzaltenango and Sololá. Additionally, several buildings sustained damage in Guatemala City’s Mixco neighborhood as well as in the departments of Chimaltenango, Escuintla, Sacatepéquez, Sololá and Totonicapán. Thus far, there have been no reports of casualties due to the earthquake.
Nepal (Security threat level – 3): On the afternoon of 16 February 2022, a demonstration against a controversial foreign assistance program funded by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), an independent U.S. agency, turned violent in the capital Kathmandu. Hundreds of people had gathered outside the Parliament building, located in the New Baneshwor area, to demand that the legislature withhold ratification of the 500 million U.S. dollar grant program. Police officers equipped with riot gear deployed tear gas and water cannons to disperse the protesters, who threw stones at the officers and damaged at least one police vehicle. There were no reports of significant injuries or deaths due to the clashes. Authorities detained at least 77 protesters in the city. Several political parties, including the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Center) and the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, called for the demonstration ahead of the planned introduction of the MCC agreement for ratification in Parliament. The government has decided to postpone the legislative procedure due to disagreements within the ruling coalition.
Somalia (Security threat level – 5): In the early hours of 16 February 2022, al-Shabab militants conducted multiple attacks targeting police stations and security checkpoints on the outskirts of the capital Mogadishu. Militants reportedly detonated vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices outside a police station, as well as near a military base in the Darussalam district. At least five people were killed and 16 others sustained injuries in the attacks. The assaults occurred amid ongoing indirect parliamentary elections in the country. Elections began on 1 November and are now scheduled to conclude on 25 February after being delayed for two months.
Canada (Security threat level – 2): On 15 February 2022, the U.S. Mission to Canada issued an alert, which reads in part as follows: “On February 14, the Government of Canada declared a public order emergency under the Emergencies Act ‘to end disruptions, blockades, and the occupation of the city of Ottawa.’ The public order emergency grants the Government of Canada the authority to apply the following temporary measures:
“In response to ongoing protests in Canada, the U.S. Embassy reiterates that, while there is a very small likelihood of violence at a political gathering in Canada, we strongly encourage U.S. citizens traveling or resident in Canada to avoid all protests and demonstrations, maintain a high level of vigilance, and practice good situational awareness. The U.S. Embassy and Consulates General are continually monitoring the current demonstrations in Canada, and continue to provide routine and emergency services to U.S. citizens.”
Germany (Security threat level – 3): On 15 February 2022, the U.S. Consulate General in Munich issued a Demonstration Alert regarding the Munich Security Conference scheduled to occur during 18-20 February, which reads in part as follows: “The Munich Security Conference (MSC) will take place this coming weekend, February 18-20, at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof. The City of Munich will implement heightened security measures in the vicinity of the hotel starting on Friday morning (2/18) at 6:00am, through Sunday evening (2/20) at 5:00pm. Access to an area several blocks wide around the Hotel Bayerischer Hof will be restricted. Expect checkpoints, security cordons and traffic disruptions in the Altstadt area.
“According to the Bavarian Police, numerous demonstrations are expected to take place on Friday and Saturday in the city center. Although these are intended to be peaceful, even peaceful demonstrations can turn confrontational and possibly escalate to violence. We advise U.S. citizens to take common-sense precautions and avoid areas around protests and demonstrations.”
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