AMERICAS

Brazil (Security threat level – 3): As of the morning of 10 September 2021, truck drivers expressing support for President Jair Bolsonaro continue to observe a strike and block major roadways for a third consecutive day. According to the Ministry of Infrastructure, barricades are causing transportation disruptions on highways in three states — Rio Grande do Sul, Rondônia and Santa Catarina — a decrease from the previous day, during which highways in approximately 15 states were reportedly affected. Truck drivers in the capital Brasilia continue blocking lanes on the Esplanada dos Ministérios, the avenue leading to a square where the presidential palace and the structures housing Congress and the Supreme Court all meet. Local media reported that long lines were observed at gas stations in at least six Brazilian states. On 9 September Bolsonaro stated that truck drivers have agreed to halt their protest actions by 12 September and clear the country’s roadways, although other local media reports indicate that no such agreement was reached.

Canada (Security threat level – 2): As of 0800 local time (1200 UTC) on 10 September 2021, Hurricane Larry was located approximately 1,045 km (650 mi) southwest of Cape Race, situated on the Canadian island of Newfoundland, and was moving in a north-northeastern direction at a speed of 43 kph (26 mph), according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center. At that time, Larry had maximum sustained winds of 140 kph, with higher gusts. On its current forecast path, the hurricane will pass southeast of the province of Novia Scotia and make landfall in southeastern Newfoundland during the nighttime hours of 10 September. Larry is then anticipated to weaken into an extratropical cyclone the following day and integrate with a relatively powerful extratropical low near Greenland by the end of the forthcoming weekend.

Larry is forecast to produce 25-50 mm (1-2 in) of rain across eastern Newfoundland later on the night of 10 September. The hurricane-generated swells will continue to affect the Bahamas throughout the day. In addition, significant swells will continue affecting coastal areas in Bermuda, eastern United States and Atlantic Canada through the night of 11 September. These swells are likely to cause hazardous surf and riptide conditions. A Hurricane Warning is currently in effect for southeastern Newfoundland from the town of Arnold’s Cove to Jones Harbor. Meanwhile, a Tropical Storm Warning is in effect from the village of Francios to areas located west of Arnold’s Cove, as well as from areas located north of Jones Harbor to Fogo Island.

Colombia (Security threat level – 4): On 9 September 2021, dozens of protesters clashed with police officers in the capital Bogotá and surrounding areas during demonstrations to mark the one-year anniversary of the police killing of a local man. Protesters and police officers clashed on the streets in the Suba La Gaitana neighborhood, located northwest of the city center. Several individuals threw rocks and projectiles as security personnel used tear gas in an attempt to disperse demonstrators. In the nearby municipality of Usme, located south of Bogotá, protesters obstructed traffic near the intersection of Carrera 1 and Diagonal 78 Bis Sur and threw rocks and fireworks toward police officers. Security personnel used tear gas and anti-riot tactics to break up the demonstration. Four police officers were injured in the violence, and authorities arrested at least 13 people.

Separately, the leader of Colombia’s trade unions association called on citizens to return to the streets on 28 September to protest President Ivan Duque’s tax reform bill and government corruption. On 8 September Colombian lawmakers passed a modified version of tax bill that caused months-long widespread protests throughout the country earlier in 2021.

Mexico (Security threat level – 4): On 9 September 2021, the governor of Guerrero state announced a partial resumption of flight operations at Acapulco International Airport (MMAA/ACA). While the airport has reopened for private aircraft, commercial flights will resume at a later date. The airport closed on 7 September after the control tower sustained shaking-related damage from a 7.0 earthquake that struck nearly 21 km (13 mi) northeast of Acapulco.

Mexico (Security threat level – 4): On the night of 9 September 2021, Hurricane Olaf made landfall as a Category 2 storm near the resort town of San Jose del Cabo, located on the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula. As of 0600 local time (1200 UTC) on 10 September, Hurricane Olaf was located approximately 55 km (35 mi) southwest of the city of La Paz and about 205 km southeast of Cabo San Lázaro cape, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center. At that time, Olaf was moving northwest at 17 kph (10 mph) and had maximum sustained winds of 130 kph, with higher gusts. On its current forecast path, the center of Olaf is forecast to move along the southwestern coast of Baja California Sur. The hurricane is expected to move westward away from land late on 10 September, weakening to a post-tropical cyclone by the evening of 11 September. Olaf will likely produce total rainfall amounts of 130-250 mm (5-10 in), with isolated maximums of more than 380 mm, across portions of southern Baja California Sur from 10-11 September. This rainfall may trigger flash floods and mudslides.

The passage of Hurricane Olaf led to the cancellation of 37 domestic and international flights at Los Cabos International Airport (MMSD/SJD) and La Paz International Airport (MMLP/LAP); additional flight disruptions are possible. La Paz airport suspended operations at 2100 local time on 9 September, and no reports regarding the reopening of the airport have emerged so far. The seaports in Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo remain closed. An estimated 20,000 foreign nationals are sheltering in place in the hotels in the area. No fatalities or significant damage have thus far been reported.

The following warnings are in effect in Baja California Sur state: a Hurricane Warning from the town of Todos Santos to Cabo San Lázaro cape; a Tropical Storm Warning north of Cabo San Lázaro cape to the town of Puerto San Andresito, as well as for areas south of the town of Todos Santos and the resort town of Loreto.

ASIA

Taiwan / Philippines (Security threat levels – 1 / 4): As of 0900 UTC on 10 September 2021, Super Typhoon Chanthu was located approximately 825 km (510 mi) south-southeast of Taipei, Taiwan, and was moving northwest at 19 kph (12 mph), according to the U.S. Joint Typhoon Warning Center. At that time, Chanthu was generating maximum sustained winds of 269 kph, with gusts of up to 324 kph. On its current forecast path, the storm will shift north by 11 September before making landfall along the northeastern coast of Taiwan by 12 September.

Chanthu is currently passing near the northeastern coast of Luzon Island in the Philippines, and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has issued a Signal 4 warning — the second highest on a five-tier scale — for the northeastern Babuyan islands, which indicates that destructive winds are likely through the early hours of 11 September. A Signal 3 alert is in effect for the rest of the Babuyan Islands and Batanes province. PAGASA has also warned of intense rainfall that could trigger flash flooding and landslides in the aforementioned areas as well as in the provinces of Abra, Apayao, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Isabela and Kalinga through the morning of 11 September. In Taiwan, the Central Weather Bureau has warned of strong winds and rainfall of 8-12 in (200-300 mm) throughout the island by 12 September, increasing the risk of landslides.

Vietnam (Security threat level – 3): As of 1600 local time (0900 UTC) on 10 September 2021, Tropical Storm Conson was located approximately 400 km (250 mi) east of Da Nang, Vietnam, and was moving west at 15 kph (9 mph), according to the U.S. Joint Typhoon Warning Center. At that time, Conson was generating maximum sustained winds of 74 kph, with gusts of up to 93 kph. On its current forecast path, the storm is expected to continue moving east before making landfall near Da Nang by 12 September. Following landfall, Conson is likely to rapidly weaken as it enters central Laos by 13 September. Authorities in Vietnam have placed approximately 50,000 troops on standby and have prepared evacuation plans in anticipation of heavy rainfall, which is likely to cause flooding and landslides.

GOVERNMENT WARNINGS

Namibia (Security threat level – 2): On 9 September 2021, the U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) issued updated travel advice for Namibia, which reads in part as follows: “Any person entering Namibia must present proof on arrival in Namibia of a negative COVID-19 test taken in the country of departure. The test result must not be older than 7 days (calculated from the date that the sample for testing was taken) at the time of entry into Namibia. This requirement also applies to anyone who has been vaccinated against COVID-19 – a negative test must still be produced before entry into the country. Antigen Rapid Diagnostic Test results are not accepted for entry into Namibia.”

Niger (Security threat level – 5): On 9 September 2021, the U.S. Embassy in Niamey issued an updated Security Alert, which reads in part as follows: “The U.S. Embassy in Niamey reminds U.S. citizens that extremist groups seek to target locations in Niamey frequented by Westerners.

“U.S. citizens are advised to be aware of your surroundings and exercise caution when visiting venues such as banks, supermarkets, restaurants, and hotels.

“Varying your travel routes and times, so as to not be pattern-predictable. Public venues should not be visited on a “clockwork” basis, but rather should be transited via a selection of travel routes and times that do not allow for the prediction of your presence at a particular venue or route of travel.”