Kidnapping Warning Issued by U.S. Embassy for Popular Tourist Hotspot
Thinking about jetting off to the Caribbean or Latin America this summer? You will want to check the State Department's latest warnings before booking that flight. As of June 5, 2025, the U.S. government issued updated travel advisories due to rising violent crime and a string of recent kidnappings.
Several countries, including parts of Mexico, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic, are seeing an uptick in crimes targeting tourists. Some areas are now under advisories that say: proceed with caution or maybe don't proceed at all.
Mexico: Beautiful Beaches, Ugly Headlines
The U.S. travel advisory for Mexico is not a blanket warning. It varies by state. But popular tourist hotspots like Puerto Vallarta (Jalisco) and Nuevo Nayarit (Nuevo León) are now listed at Level 3: Reconsider Travel.
According to the U.S. Consulate in Guadalajara, some Americans have been lured on fake dates in Puerto Vallarta and then kidnapped for ransom. Organized crime groups are using dating platforms to target travelers. The advice? Avoid meeting strangers in private or poorly lit areas. Public places, folks. Always.
"I just started crying… I was like, 'I'm never going home.'" — LaTavia Washington McGee, a survivor of a 2023 kidnapping in Matamoros, Tamaulipas
Mexico's President Andrés Manuel López Obrador acknowledged the issues but insisted: "There is no problem traveling safely in Mexico."
🔗Mexico Travel Advisory (U.S. State Dept)
Haiti: A Hard No from the State Department
Haiti's advisory is as blunt as it gets: Level 4 — Do Not Travel.
Criminal gangs have taken over large parts of the country, especially Port-au-Prince. Carjackings, kidnappings, and ransom demands are so common that even aid workers and missionaries are getting caught up in the chaos. Case in point: In 2023, American nurse Alix Dorsainvil and her daughter were abducted in broad daylight while doing humanitarian work.
"I hold no grudges against you in my heart… that doesn't mean I agree with what you are doing." — Alix Dorsainvil, post-release statement to her kidnappers.
The U.S. Embassy has advised American citizens to leave Haiti as soon as possible, noting that they have a limited ability to assist in an emergency.
🔗 Haiti Travel Advisory (U.S. State Dept)
Dominican Republic: Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution
The Dominican Republic is sitting at Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution. Which may sound mild but still warrants attention. Crimes against tourists, including robbery and sexual assault, have been reported, particularly in Santo Domingo and areas outside of resort zones.
There's also a familiar trend showing up here: dating app setups gone wrong. U.S. travelers have reported being lured to meet-ups and robbed. So again, swipe carefully and maybe skip that mystery date unless it's in a public, well-lit, security-camera-filled location.
One high-profile case from 2019 still remains in our minds: Tammy Lawrence-Daley was attacked at a Punta Cana resort and left for dead after an eight-hour ordeal.
"How do you explain to your kids you were almost killed by some random stranger?" — Lawrence-Daley, after surviving an 8-hour assault.
In response to such incidents, Dominican tourism authorities ramped up hotel inspections and increased police patrols in popular areas.
🔗 Dominican Republic Travel Advisory (U.S. State Dept)
How to Stay Safe While Traveling Abroad
The U.S. government advises:
Avoid using dating apps to meet strangers abroad
Don't flash valuables (jewelry, tech, luxury bags)
Use only hotel-vetted transportation
Travel in groups and avoid going out after dark
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for security updates
Also, avoid geotagging your vacation posts until you're safely back home. Yes, criminals use social media too.
Bottom Line: Be Smart, Not Sorry
Sunshine, sand, and scam-free getaways are still possible. But don't let travel brochures lull you into a false sense of security.
If you're heading to one of the countries under advisory, be smart, plan ahead, prepare thoroughly, and maybe think twice about that spontaneous date night with your Tinder match. Paradise is great, so long as you make it home.
Did you find this helpful? Save it for later or send it to a friend who's been daydreaming about their next tropical escape.