Ecuador (Security threat level – 3): On the evening of 17 June 2022, President Guillermo Lasso declared a state of emergency for the provinces of Pichincha, Imbabura and Cotopaxi in response to recent anti-government protests. The order imposed a curfew from 2200-0500 local time (0300-1000 UTC) in the city of Quito, with exceptions for certain situations, including travel to and from the airport. The state of emergency allows for the deployment of military forces to areas of the aforementioned provinces where clashes between protesters and police officers have left at least 43 individuals injured and more than 37 others arrested. State of emergency powers also allow local authorities to monitor and censor social media content they deem likely to incite further unrest. Lasso also announced measures to appease select protester demands, such as slightly raising the monthly stipend for poorer individuals, freezing the current price of diesel fuel, and ordering the national bank to forgive overdue loans of up to 3,000 U.S. dollars. Disruptive demonstrations have frequently occurred in Ecuador in recent months due to fuel prices, environmental issues, growing agricultural section debt and indigenous rights issues.
Despite the declared state of emergency and curfew, protests continued throughout the weekend. Protesters throughout the country have targeted highways with their demonstrations, blocking roads with mounds of dirt and burning tires. On 19 June 2022, soldiers fired tear gas at protesters blockading the Pan-American highway near the Quito suburb of Calderon, located approximately 13 km (8 mi) northwest of the city center. The protester blockade had prevented passage on the highway since the declaration of the state of emergency on 17 June, when soldiers were deployed to the area to disperse protesters who were in violation of the curfew. There were no immediate reports of injuries connected to the incident. Additionally, hundreds of protesters entered Quito to demand greater action on the country’s economic issues. Additional protests and marches on the capital are expected in the coming days and the government has warned that increased violence is likely.
India / Bangladesh (Security threat levels – 3 / 4): As of 20 June 2022, widespread flooding and landslides in northeastern India and Bangladesh — resulting from two weeks of heavy rainfall — have caused the deaths of at least 54 people and the displacement of up to 9 million more. Military personnel have been deployed to evacuate stranded residents and authorities have repurposed numerous buildings as relief centers. Bangladesh’s Sylhet administrative area has been heavily affected by the flooding, and up to 4 million people have been stranded. In the Indian state of Assam, 26 people have been killed and 4.5 million more have been displaced due to the effects of the rainfall. The severe weather has caused statewide power outages and flooded numerous roads, railway lines, bridges, businesses and homes.
Macau (Security threat level – 3): On 19 June 2022, health authorities in Macau announced that all residents will be required to participate in mass coronavirus testing as a part of “immediate prevention protocols” following the detection of 12 positive cases in the city within the prior 24 hours. Effective immediately, all schools, parks, museums and sports facilities will be temporarily closed to reduce crowds, and a total of 53 testing stations will be opened. Local government authorities have also ordered restaurants to suspend dine-in service and have advised residents to avoid leaving their residences, with exceptions for medical emergencies. Moreover, those seeking to depart Macau will be required to present the results of a negative PRC test taken within the previous 24 hours.
Sri Lanka (Security threat level – 4): Overnight on 18-19 June 2022, Sri Lankan security personnel fired live ammunition to disperse angry motorists at a gas station that had run out of fuel in the town of Vusuvamadu in Northern province. Four civilians and three security personnel were injured in the ensuing clash. Police officials stated that dozens of people threw stones at military trucks that arrived on the scene after the gas station ran out of fuel and the motorists began to riot. Military personnel are being deployed nationwide to guard gas stations amid fuel shortages.
Belgium (Security threat level – 3): On 20 June 2022, Belgian transportation authorities announced that all outbound passenger flights from Brussels Airport (EBBR/BRU) have been canceled due to an ongoing airport security personnel strike. Officials grounded 232 passenger flights, as the airport is unable to guarantee the safety of travelers in the absence of its security staff. Passengers arriving at the airport on inbound flights will still be able to disembark, but those with connecting flights should plan for prolonged layovers. Travelers with flights previously scheduled to depart on 20 June are urged to avoid the airport and to contact their airline for flight status updates.
Democratic Republic Of The Congo (Security threat level – 4): On 17 June 2022, the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa issued a Security Alert regarding armed clashes between the Congolese military and the M23 militant group in North Kivu province, which reads in part as follows: “U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa reports armed skirmishes and conflict have intensified in North Kivu Province as well as at the Rwanda border at Goma. U.S. citizens are advised to exercise extreme caution and defer travel in and through North Kivu Province, including the city of Goma. U.S. citizens are further advised that the hours of operation at the DRC-Rwanda border crossing at Goma may be variable and should be checked before attempting to cross.”
Haiti (Security threat level – 5) : On 20 June 2022, the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince issued a Security Alert regarding restricted travel, which reads in part as follows: “Due to heavy shooting and burning tire barricades in the area of Belmart, the Executive Villas (EV) Hotel, and in the ED1 area of Tabarre, travel for U.S. Embassy personnel is restricted between the Embassy and residential housing compounds only, until further notice.”
Jamaica (Security threat level – 3): On 17 June 2022, the U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) issued updated travel advice for Jamaica, which reads in part as follows: “A State of Emergency (SoE) is in place covering the whole of the parish of St Catherine. This allows the military to support the police in joint security operations in response to recent violence and shooting incidents. Police and military checkpoints may be established on roads, and full cooperation with security forces is recommended. It is possible that these or similar measures could be introduced anywhere in Jamaica with little notice.”
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