Cuba (Security threat level – 2) : At approximately 1130 local time (1530 UTC) on 6 May 2022, a large explosion occurred at an upscale hotel near the Capitol building in downtown Havana. The blast severely damaged Hotel Saratoga, a theater, a church, and numerous vehicles transiting outside the building. Officials in the capital city have so far confirmed 35 fatalities, including a Spanish tourist, and 84 injuries. Emergency responders are searching through the debris at the scene for survivors, as 19 people remain missing. Preliminary investigations indicate that a natural gas leak caused the blast.
Haiti (Security threat level – 5): During the afternoon of 8 May 2022, suspected members of the 400 Mawozo gang kidnapped 17 people from a tourist bus that was transiting through the commune of Croix-des Bouquets, located approximately 11 km (7 mi) east of the capital Port-au-Prince. The victims include eight Turkish missionaries, a Dominican national and eight Haitians. While no ransom demand has been made public, the gang has demanded high ransoms for the release of kidnapping victims in the past. The gang is also responsible for kidnapping a Dominican diplomat the previous month, as well the abductions of 17 missionaries from the U.S. and Canada in 2021.
Mexico (Security threat level – 4): In the evening hours of 6 May 2022, gunmen riding in a vehicle opened fire on the Las Micheladas del Tío Toño bar on Kabah Avenue — located approximately 2 km (1 mi) north of Cancún’s city center. The gunmen opened fire from an SUV, then drove away in the direction of Galaxias del Sol Street. The attack left one person dead and eight others injured. Authorities have arrested one suspect. The bar was also the site of another shooting on 6 April.
China (Security threat level – 3): On 8 May 2022, health authorities in Shanghai tightened the ongoing coronavirus-related lockdown in the city. Residents in several districts, including Putuo, Changning and the Pudong New Area, have reportedly received directives to remain in their homes until at least 11 May. The lockdown was originally scheduled to end on 20 April but media reports, citing anonymous sources, indicate that movement restrictions could remain in effect until the end of May. The lockdown measures are due in part to the persistence of community spread of COVID-19 within the city, as the Chinese government aims to completely eliminate new coronavirus infections through movement restrictions. Shanghai has consistently recorded thousands of daily COVID-19 cases within the last few weeks, the majority of which have originated in the “closed loop” quarantine facilities.
In the capital Beijing, authorities ordered residents of the Chaoyang district — the central business district — and Shunyi district to remain inside their residential compounds and to work from home as authorities continue their daily mass testing regimens. Nonessential businesses, tourist attractions and public transportation routes have been closed to the public.
Sri Lanka (Security threat level – 4): At approximately 1330 local time (0800 UTC) on 9 May 2022, police officers in the capital Colombo deployed tear gas and water cannons against government supporters who were attacking anti-government protesters near Galle Face Green park. According to local authorities, government supporters initially attacked the demonstrators after attending a meeting with Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa — President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s brother — at his Temple Trees office. Following the attack, government supporters proceeded to the nearby MynaGoGama and GotaGoGama protest sites, where they destroyed private property and clashed with anti-government demonstrators. At least 130 people were injured in the violence. Shortly afterward, government authorities declared a nationwide curfew amid the ongoing state of emergency that began on 7 May. Later in the day, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned from office, following weekslong demonstrations outside of his office in Colombo demanding his resignation. Despite the prime minister’s resignation, opposition supporters have vowed to continue demonstrations and a general strike until President Rajapaksa resigns from office.
Democratic Republic Of The Congo (Security threat level – 4): On 7 May 2022, members of the Cooperative for the Development of the Congo (CODECO) militia group launched an attack on a gold mine in the town of Djugu, located in the northeastern Ituri province. More than 50 people were reportedly killed in the assault and at least 20 others were injured. Additionally, an unknown number of civilians remain missing. In May 2021, the Congolese government declared a state of siege in Ituri and the adjacent North Kivu province in an effort to quell frequent assaults on civilians in the region. However, the mobilization of the military and police forces has so far failed to stop such attacks.
Mali (Security threat level – 5): On 6 May 2022, the U.S. Embassy in Bamako issued a Security Alert regarding an increased threat of a terrorist attack in the capital, which reads in part as follows: “The U.S. Embassy in Mali advises U.S. citizens that a terrorist attack in Bamako may be planned targeting locations frequented by Westerners including diplomatic facilities, hotels, and restaurants.
“The U.S. Embassy has taken the following additional steps in response to the ongoing security threats:
Mali (Security threat level – 5): On 9 May 2022, the U.S. Embassy in Bamako issued a Demonstration Alert ahead of planned protests on 10 and 13 May, which reads in part as follows: “The movement “Sauvons le Mali Dokera’’ (save Mali, enough is enough) is planning a march from the Monument de l’Indépendance to the Bourse du Travail. The march will begin at 1400 on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, at the Monument de l’Indépendance.”
“The Collective for the Defense of the Military (CDM) is planning a demonstration at 1400 on Friday, May 13, 2022, at the Monument de l’Indépendance. Traffic disruptions are expected.”
“Demonstrations sometimes turn violent, resulting in the burning of tires, clashes with the police, blockage on the roads and bridges, throwing of rocks at vehicles, the deployment of tear gas, and small arms fire.”
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