AMERICAS

Argentina (Security threat level – 3): On 9 July 2019, authorities restricted access to Avenida del Libertador, between the Pueyrredón and Dorrego streets in Buenos Aires, for a military parade to mark Argentina’s declaration of independence. The restrictions are in effect from 0800-1500 local time (1100-1800 UTC), while the parade begins at 1200. President Mauricio Macri will attend the ceremony; heightened security measures are likely in the area.

United States (Security threat level – 2): On the morning of 9 July 2019, authorities temporarily suspended operations at Martha’s Vineyard Airport (KMVY/MVY) — located on the island of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts — due to a bomb threat. Police officers cordoned off the airport and conducted security searches, but did not find explosives at the facility. The airport has since reopened; however, knock-on flight delays and cancellations are likely due to a backlog of planned flights.

ASIA

China (Security threat level – 3): On 9 July 2019, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced that the controversial extradition bill which caused civil unrest in the city is “dead,” but did not confirm that the bill was completely withdrawn from the legislative agendas. Following the announcement, protesters associated with the Civil Human Rights Forum and the Student Union of Chinese University of Hong Kong dismissed Lam’s comments and pledged to organize additional protests. Protest groups also renewed calls for the government to meet their demands, including a full withdrawal of the extradition bill, the release of participants arrested in previous protests and an independent investigation into allegations of police brutality during the protests. Details regarding the dates and locations of future protests were not immediately available. Meanwhile, the commander of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) garrison in Hong Kong stated that the military would not interfere in the ongoing unrest.

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Nigeria (Security threat level – 5): Emerging reports on 9 July 2019 indicate that a protest on the premises of the National Assembly Complex in Abuja has turned violent. Members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) who are protesting against the detention of IMN leader Ibrahim el-Zakzaky breached the first gate of the premises, prompting security personnel to fire warning shots to disperse the group. As of the latest reports, protesters are burning vehicles parked in the vicinity of the entrance to the complex; police reinforcements are being deployed to the scene.

GOVERNMENT WARNINGS

Bolivia (Security threat level – 3): On 8 July 2019, the U.S. Embassy in La Paz issued a Demonstration Alert, which reads in part as follows:

“Location: Santa Cruz Department

Jamaica (Security threat level – 3): On 9 July 2019, the U.K. Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) issued updated travel advice for Jamaica, 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.