MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

US Embassy advises travelers to Brazil to exercise extreme caution

In parts of Brasilia, “neither tour companies nor the police can guarantee your safety,” the warning pointed out

The US Embassy in Brazil has issued a travel advisory urging American citizens to exercise increased caution due to high crime rates, including violent crime and kidnappings. The note highlights risks associated with urban areas, slums (favelas), communities, and border regions.

The warning mentioned that incidents such as “violent crime, including murder, armed robbery, and carjacking” can occur at any time. The diplomatic mission also cited cases where American travelers have been kidnapped for ransom.

US nationals were also advised that organized crime gang activity linked to drug trafficking is prevalent and that foreigners have been targeted in bars and via dating apps, drugged, and robbed.

“Gang activity and organized crime are widespread and often linked to recreational drug trafficking,” the mission noted. “Physical assaults, with the use of sedatives and drugs placed in drinks, are common, especially in Rio de Janeiro. Criminals target foreigners through dating apps or in bars before drugging and robbing their victims.”

Additionally, US government employees were warned against using municipal buses due to robbery risks. They were also banned from unauthorized travel to certain areas described as “informal housing developments” (namely favelas), and specific administrative regions in Brasília known as “satellite cities.”

“Neither tour companies nor the police can guarantee your safety when entering these communities,” says the warning.

Lastly, travel within 160 km (100 miles) of Brazil's land borders with Bolivia, Colombia, Guyana, French Guiana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela is discouraged, except for Iguazu and Pantanal national parks. Areas near Argentina and Uruguay were not listed as threatening.