ASIA

Sri Lanka (Security threat level – 3): On 20 July 2022, interim President Ranil Wickremesinghe was elected president of Sri Lanka, defeating his closest rival and main opponent Dullas Alahapperuma in a parliamentary vote of 134 to 82. Wickremesinghe, who will be sworn into office on 21 July, is expected to serve the remainder of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s term, which ends in 2024. Wickremesinghe has served six terms as the country’s prime minister and was appointed to the position most recently in May 2022, following the resignation of then-Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. Wickremesinghe has also served as acting president since former President Rajapaksa fled the country on 13 July. Meanwhile, protest and union leaders continue to call for Wickremesinghe’s resignation due to his close association with the Rajapaksa family. Anti-government demonstrations in the capital Colombo are likely to continue in the near term.

CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

Panama (Security threat level – 3): On 20 July 2022, members of multiple indigenous groups are expected to erect blockades on portions of the Pan-American Highway that pass through native lands. The protest actions — scheduled to begin at 0700 local time (1200 UTC) — are being organized to denounce the high cost of living and to demand increased authority over indigenous territory. Demonstrators belonging to other groups, including teachers and construction workers unions, are also expected to continue their protests. Food and fuel shortages in the capital Panama City and elsewhere are likely to continue amid ongoing transportation disruptions. While authorities and protest leaders previously reached two separate agreements on 17 and 11 July to lower fuel prices in exchange for an end to protests and accompanying blockades, government concessions have been insufficient in regard to placating all demonstrating groups.

NORTH AMERICA

United States (Security threat level – 2): On the morning of 19 July 2022, an electrical transformer caught fire and exploded at Hoover Dam, located on the Nevada-Arizona state border approximately 25 mi (40 km) southeast of Las Vegas, the most populous city in the state of Nevada. The fire and subsequent blast occurred at a building housing turbines, situated just downstream from the base of the dam, and emitted a column of thick, black smoke into the air. Firefighters immediately responded and extinguished the blaze within 30 minutes. There were no disruptions to electricity supply due to the incident. No one was injured. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire.

United States (Security threat level – 2): Shortly after 1300 local time (2000 UTC) on 19 July 2022, a Delta Air Lines flight ruptured two tires upon landing at Southern California’s Los Angeles International Airport (KLAX/LAX). The aircraft — operating Delta Airlines Flight 515 to Los Angeles from Atlanta, Georgia — reportedly came to a halt on the taxiway, after which those on board were transported to the terminal in buses. No passengers or crew members were injured in the occurrence. Two runways were closed for several hours until airport personnel removed the aircraft from the site. The cause of the incident is unknown.

GOVERNMENT WARNINGS

Greece (Security threat level – 2): On 19 July 2022, the U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) issued updated travel advice for Greece to include the following: “Forest fires often occur during the summer months across Greece due to the dry/hot weather. There are currently (19 July) wildfires to the north of Athens. As of 2100 (Athens time) evacuation orders had issued for Ntrafi, Dioni, Dasamari, and Anthousa, and instructions to remain on high alert issued for Penteli, Ntaou Pentelis, and Kallitexnoupolia.”