While the State Department is tasked with warning American citizens about dangers they may encounter abroad, their advisories often appear alarmist. They also occasionally declare certain destinations to be safer than deemed before.
El Salvador, a Central American Nation bordering Guatemala to the west and Honduras to the east, has been under a Level Three “Reconsider Travel” advisory since last July due to the high crime and murder rates in its main cities.
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Here is why El Salvador is now under a lower travel advisory ('safer for tourists to visit')
The State Department’s four-tier advisory system ranges from Level One’s “Exercise Normal Precautions” under which one can feel as safe or even safer than at home to Level Four’s “Avoid All Travel” usually assigned to countries at war or with authoritarian governments.
This week, the government agency once again lowered its rating for El Salvador to “Exercise Increased Caution.” Incidentally, France and Germany are under the same advisory due to the risk of terrorism in their capital cities.
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“While crime remains a concern in El Salvador, there has been a significant reduction in gang-related activity and associated crime in the last two years,” reads the updated advisory. “This includes drops in violent crimes and murders.”
The change also comes amid intense lobbying from Congressional El Salvador Caucus, a U.S.-based advocacy group working to improve ties between the two countries and bring tourism to El Salvador. The group has cited statistics showing that gang crime, particularly in the areas frequently visited by tourists, has dropped since current president Nayib Bukele implemented new policies cracking down on crime.
While this crackdown has caught the attention of human rights advocates over people who were sentenced without trial, the drop in crime in many parts of the country has been noticeable.
“In March 2022, the Government of El Salvador declared a ‘State of Exception’ in response to an uptick in homicides committed by gangs,” the updated State Department note reads further. “The State of Exception grants authorities the power to arrest anyone suspected of gang activity and suspends several constitutional rights, including the normal protections of criminal procedure, such as the right to a speedy or fair trial.”
Related: This is why the State Department is warning against Germany travel
Safety tips for El Salvador: ‘Do not solely rely on web-based mapping applications’
Similarly to other Central American neighbors, El Salvador has a burgeoning tourism industry that attracts visitors looking for more budget-friendly all-inclusive resorts and natural wonders like the Santa Ana Volcano and Parque Nacional El Boqueron.
For those who do go, the State Department advises remaining aware of one’s surroundings and always traveling in groups, especially outside resorts or major metropolitan areas.
“Do not solely rely on web-based mapping applications, which may not reflect the status of local road conditions,” the note reads while reminding travelers not to hitchhike and, if driving, take main highways instead of minor side roads.
For those hiking (the waterfalls and volcanoes bring many tourists to the country), the advice is to always stay on trail and within the designated hiking areas established by local national park authorities.
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