Colombia (Security threat level – 4) : On 26 March 2022, an explosion occurred after an assailant detonated a suitcase with explosives near a police checkpoint in the Arborizadora Alta neighborhood of the Ciudad Bolívar district of the capital Bogotá. Emergency personnel responded to the blast, which killed at least one person and injured at least 35 others. More than 65 nearby homes sustained damage due to the blast. Dissidents of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) group claimed responsibility for the attack.
Ecuador (Security threat level – 3): At approximately 2330 local time on 26 March 2022 (0430 UTC on 27 March), a 5.4 magnitude earthquake struck nearly 10 km (6 mi) southeast of the city of Esmeraldas at an estimated depth of 46 km, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Moderate to strong shaking was felt in the capital Quito – located approximately 180 km from the epicenter of the quake — and light shaking was felt in the city of Guayaquil, which is located about 350 km away. Residents in the town of Atacames experienced power outages due to the effects of the quake. At least one person was killed and two others were injured, while six homes were destroyed and 87 other homes sustained damage.
El Salvador (Security threat level – 4) : On 27 March 2022, lawmakers in El Salvador’s legislative assembly approved a nationwide 30-day state of emergency, effective immediately, amid a recent spike in crime throughout the country. The decree limits freedom of assembly and gives government authorities increased access to private correspondence and communications. Additionally, police officers are allowed to make arrests without an arrest warrant. According to local officials, 62 people were killed in a single day on 26 March, compared to a total of 79 homicides reported during the previous month. The escalation in homicides has been largely attributed to gang violence. The National Police announced that five leaders of the MS-13 gang were arrested over the past weekend.
Mexico (Security threat level – 4): On the evening of 27 March 2022, gunmen fired indiscrimately at individuals who had gathered for a cockfighting event in the town of Las Tinajas in northern Michoacán state. The attack killed at least 20 people and wounded several others. Authorities have deployed soldiers to search for and detain the attackers. While the motive for the attack is not known at this time, Michoacán state has experienced an increase in cartel-related violence in recent years.
China (Security threat level – 3): Officials in Shanghai began citywide nucleic acid screening tests for COVID-19 at 0500 local time on 28 March 2022 (2100 UTC on 27 March), amid a steady increase in locally transmitted COVID-19 cases. The first round of tests, which will cover the Pudong and Punan districts as well as other adjacent areas, will be conducted until 0500 local time on 1 April. The second round of testing will cover the Puxi district from 0300 local time on 1 April until the morning of 5 April. During the testing phase, residents in the assigned districts will not be allowed to leave their homes until the tests for their district are complete. Additionally, all residents will be required to work from home, and public transportation will be suspended until further notice.
India (Security threat level – 3): On 28 March 2022, a coalition of central trade unions that includes 12 major unions began a two-day countrywide general strike to protest the government’s economic policies and demand rights for workers. The labor action is currently disrupting essential services in a variety of industries, including banking, transportation, electricity, coal, steel and postal services, in multiple states. Railway service strikes have already caused major travel disruptions in the cities of Kolkata and Chennai. Accompanying demonstrations are planned in major cities, including New Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata. Millions of employees will participate in the strike to oppose government regulations, such as the privatization of banks, and to demand an increase in the minimum wage and improved labor laws.
Pakistan (Security threat level – 5): On 27 March 2022, tens of thousands of people gathered across the capital Islamabad to participate in pro- and anti-government rallies ahead of a no-confidence vote for the government of Prime Minister Imran Khan. Supporters of the ruling Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party gathered at the parade grounds near the Faizabad Interchange as members of Khan’s administration addressed the crowds. Opposition members of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (F) staged a march from the eastern city of Lahore to Islamabad. Large groups of people obstructed traffic in several areas of the city, even though security personnel maintained a visible presence throughout the capital. On 28 March the National Assembly postponed the beginning of debate on the no-confidence motion until 31 March due to a lack of members of the government coalition in attendance.
Philippines (Security threat level – 4): At approximately 0800 local time (0000 UTC) on 26 March 2022, government officials raised the warning level for Taal Volcano to Alert Level 3 from Alert Level 2 due to reported magmatic intrusion at the volcano’s main crater, which could prompt further eruptions. Authorities advised individuals in the vicinity of the volcano — including those in the areas of Agoncillo, Banyaga, Bilibinwang, Boso-boso, eastern Bugaan East, Gulod and Batangas province — to evacuate as soon as possible. Access to Taal Volcano Island and the areas of Agoncillo and Laurel is prohibited. Additionally, officials are encouraging civil aviation authorities to refrain from scheduling flights over the area.
Sri Lanka / Russia (Security threat levels – 4 / 4): On 28 March 2022, Sri Lankan Airlines officials suspended passenger flights between Colombo and Moscow, citing “operational restrictions beyond the company’s control.” Prior to the suspension of flights, the airline conducted two weekly flights between Colombo and Moscow. Travelers are advised to check directly with the carrier regarding flight cancellations.
Australia (Security threat level – 2): On 25 March 2022, health officials announced that pre-flight COVID-19 PCR and antigen tests will no longer be required for international travelers arriving in Australia beginning on 17 April. Inbound travelers must be fully vaccinated to enter the country. Additionally, health screening protocols and face masks will continue to be mandatory on all arriving international passenger flights.
France (Security threat level – 3): On 26 March 2022, security forces and demonstrators clashed in the commune of La Rochénard, located in the Deux-Sèvres department, during a gathering to oppose the privatization of large river basins used by farmers for agricultural use. More than 5,000 people had gathered in the commune for the demonstration. Police officers fired tear gas to disperse the demonstrators after several participants threw stones and fireworks at security personnel and attempted to dig up irrigation systems. Approximately 200 counterprotesters had gathered to defend the basins in the nearby Cramchaban commune.
Israel (Security threat level – 4): At approximately 2045 local time (1745 UTC) on 27 March 2022, two gunmen opened fire at a bus station in the northern city of Hadera in Sharon region — located approximately 45 km (25 mi) north of Tel Aviv. Two police officers were killed in the attack and four additional individuals were injured. Counterterrorism officers of the Israeli Border Police who were dining at a nearby restaurant when the attack occurred, shot and killed both assailants. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack. This is the second attack by Islamic State group-linked individuals in Israel in a week; the 22 March knife attack in Beersheba resulted in five deaths, including the attacker.
Saudi Arabia (Security threat level – 3): At approximately 1800 local time (1500 UTC) on 25 March 2022, a fire broke out at an Aramco oil facility in the city of Jeddah following a missile attack by the Yemen-based Houthi rebel group. No injuries or deaths were reported as a result of the missile strike and subsequent fire. Earlier in the day, Saudi officials had reported destroying seven drones and a missile launched by Houthi rebels targeting areas in the southern part of the country. One of the strikes damaged a water depot in the southern governorate of Dhahran Al-Janub.
Côte d’Ivoire (Security threat level – 4): On 25 March 2022, authorities eased coronavirus-related restrictions after health officials reported a decline in the transmission of COVID-19 cases. Fully vaccinated travelers entering Côte d’Ivoire and those attending large gatherings are no longer required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test. Additionally, the mandatory face mask requirement was annulled, with exceptions for large events and those taking place in enclosed public spaces.
Liberia (Security threat level – 4): On 26 March 2022, authorities imposed a nighttime curfew that will go into effect on 1 April at Roberts International Airport (GLRB/ROB), located in the capital Monrovia, due to concerns over inadequate lighting. Flights will no longer operate from 0000 to 0600 local time/UTC at the airport while the facility undergoes renovations to improve its electrical supply. The renovations are expected to last until February 2023.
Nigeria (Security threat level – 5) : On the afternoon of 26 March 2022, gunmen launched an attack on Kaduna International Airport (DNKA/KAD) in the northern state of Kaduna — located approximately 190 km (115 mi) north of Abuja. Armed bandits reportedly entered the facility through a perimeter fence from the nearby forest and attempted to take over the runway. At least one airport security staffer was shot and killed in the event. Security personnel subsequently engaged in a shootout with the gunmen and prevented the assailants from reaching the airport terminal. Flight operations at the airport were temporarily suspended due to the attack.
Sudan (Security threat level – 5): On 28 March 2022, the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum issued a Demonstration Alert, which reads in part as follows: “Acts of civil disobedience are expected to take place this afternoon, March 28th, in Khartoum and potentially in other states. This may include centralized or decentralized demonstrations, road blockages by protesters, and business closures. Unannounced protests and other acts of civil disobedience may continue to take place in the coming weeks, in addition to larger organized protests. Embassy personnel have been encouraged to work from home in the afternoon.”
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