AMERICAS

Brazil (Security threat level – 3): At approximately 1600 local time (1800 UTC) on 30 November 2018, a single-engine Cessna C-210 aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Campo de Marte Airport (SBMT) in northern São Paulo. The aircraft crashed into at least three houses in a residential area near the airport, killing the two people onboard the aircraft and injuring six pedestrians; five other people who were inside the houses had to be rescued but were not injured. The cause of the accident remains under investigation. SBMT, which only operates executive flights, was closed after the accident. It remains unclear if the facility has reopened; city officials are currently discussing plans to deactivate the facility, as this accident was one of several that have occurred at SBMT in recent years.

Mexico (Security threat level – 4): At approximately 2300 local time on 30 November 2018 (0500 UTC on 1 December), an unidentified assailant threw explosive materials at the U.S. Consulate General in Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco state. While the blast did not cause any injuries, the exterior wall of the compound sustained damage. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. However, video footage threatening an attack at the facility had been circulating on social media platforms in recent days; the threat was allegedly made by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, one of the most powerful criminal organizations in Mexico. Following the incident, the U.S. mission issued a Security Alert and announced the suspension of the consulate’s routine operations on 3 December; please see the Government Warnings section below.

United States (Security threat level – 2): On 30 November 2018, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck approximately 8 mi (13 km) north of Anchorage, Alaska. As of 3 December, nearly 1,400 aftershocks have taken place. The quake — which occurred at the depth of 25 mi — caused major damage to the Glenn Highway, which connects Anchorage to communities located in the northern part of the state. A Tsunami Warning was issued for the Cook Inlet following the quake but was canceled shortly thereafter. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) briefly issued a ground stop for flights at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (PANC/ANC) following the quake, and flight operations were halted for approximately five hours. The Port of Alaska did not sustain major damage and the supply of essential goods to the state remains uninterrupted. While authorities continue working toward restoring electricity and water services, as well as repairing the damaged stretches of the major roadway, residents have been urged to stay indoors and work from home on 3 December. There have been no reports of fatalities due to the quake.

United States (Security threat level – 2): Shortly after 1130 local time (1630 UTC) on 30 November 2018, a corporate aircraft that had just departed Indiana’s Clark Regional Airport (KJVY/JVY) crashed into a wooded area in the nearby town of Memphis. The Cessna 525A aircraft, with registration N525EG, was en route to Chicago Midway International Airport (KMDW/MDW) at the time of the crash. Three individuals aboard the aircraft were killed. The cause of the crash has not been determined; there were no reports of severe weather conditions in the area at the time of the incident.

EUROPE

France (Security threat level – 3): On 1 December 2018, Paris police officers clashed into the evening with “yellow vest” protesters along and around the Champs-Elysées, as well as in parts of the city’s 8th, 16th and 17th arrondissements. Protesters calling for President Emmanuel Macron’s resignation constructed barricades, vandalized buildings, looted shops, set vehicles on fire and threw projectiles at police officers; at least one building located near the Arc de Triomphe caught fire during the protests. Security personnel responded by firing water cannons, tear gas and stun grenades. Authorities closed at least 19 metro stations, including the Champs-Elysées, Opera, Bastille and Etoile stations. In light of these incidents, the U.S. Embassy in Paris issued a Security Alert advising U.S. citizens to avoid the 8th, 16th and 17th arrondissements in Paris and to seek shelter if in the vicinity of the violence.

Instances of unrest also occurred in other French cities. In Nice, trucks temporarily blocked the road to Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (LFMN/NCE). In Nantes, demonstrators clashed with police officers in the city center, and a small group of demonstrators reached the tarmac at Nantes Airport (LFRS/NTE). Elsewhere, protesters in Puy-en-Velay set fire to a local police station and demonstrators blocked the Fréjus tunnel along the Italian border. Violent clashes also occurred in cities of Bordeaux, Toulouse, Marseille, Dijon, Tarbes, Albi, Auch, Narbonne and in the Charleville Mézières commune. Across France, at least one person was killed in the clashes, while more than 260 were injured; police officers also arrested at least 412 people due to protest-related violence.

“Yellow vest” protests are continuing in France on 3 December, as demonstrators block access to at least 11 Total fuel depots, causing at least 75 of the company’s filling stations to run dry. Roadblocks are ongoing in multiple locations, including at the port of Fos-sur-Mer near Marseille and near the cities of Aix-en-Provence, Montpellier, Nimes, Orange and Sete. Meanwhile, in the French overseas territory of Reunion, reports indicate that many of the roadblocks have been lifted, including those around the main port, allowing stores and gas stations to restock.
In response to the riots, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe is holding talks with opposition party leaders and organizers of the “yellow vest” protest movement concerning the widespread protesting and riots, while President Emmanuel Macron has decided against declaring a state of emergency for the time being. Officials stated that the recent protests have led to the worst civil unrest in France in a decade.

Poland (Security threat level – 2): As of 3 December 2018, a terrorism alert has gone into effect for Silesia province and the city of Krakow in light of the COP24 global climate negotiations that are set to take place in the regional capital of Katowice. The alert will last for the duration of the talks, which started on 3 December and will conclude on 15 December. The alert means that the government will implement heightened security measures throughout the province, which may include checking vehicles and accessing private communications. Authorities have also reinstituted temporary border control measures with Germany, Lithuania, the Czech Republic and Slovakia — countries that typically enjoy free crossing as members of the Schengen Zone. The Polish parliament had already approved a bill earlier in the year to ban all spontaneous protests in Katowice for the duration of the talks.

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Togo (Security threat level – 4): On 1 December 2018, supporters of a coalition of 14 opposition parties demonstrated in several cities across Togo to protest against a constitutional reform bill and the organization of legislative elections slated for 20 December. Thousands demonstrated in the capital Lomé, including in the Bè, Anfamè and Kpota areas. Security personnel and demonstrators clashed in the Bè district, where police officers used tear gas to disperse protesters who erected barricades. Several people have been injured in opposition demonstrations since 17 November. Protesters have called for a “Togo mort” — “Dead Togo” — strike day on 4 November.

GOVERNMENT WARNINGS

Central African Republic (Security threat level – 5): On 30 November 2018, the U.S. Embassy in Bangui issued a Security Alert, which reads in part as follows:

Democratic Republic Of The Congo (Security threat level – 5): “On 2 December 2018, the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa issued a Security Alert, which reads in part as follows:

Mexico (Security threat level – 4): On 1 December 2018, the U.S. Consulate General in Guadalajara issued a Security Alert, which reads in part as follows:

Nigeria (Security threat level – 5): On 30 November 2018, the U.S. Embassy in Abuja issued a Health Alert, which reads in part as follows:

Security threat levels range from 1 (Very Low) to 5 (Very High) and are determined using a comprehensive system that utilizes both qualitative and quantitative analysis. The primary factors used to determine a location’s security threat level are Armed Conflict, Crime, Demonstrations/Strikes, Ethnic/Sectarian Tensions, Graft/Corruption, Kidnapping, Political Instability, Government Restriction and Terrorism.