On October 20, 2023, the U.S. State Department issued the following Security Alert: Worldwide Caution:[1] “Event: Due to increased tensions in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests, the Department of State advises U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased caution. U.S. citizens should:
- Stay alert in locations frequented by tourists.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP ) to receive information and alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency overseas.
- Follow the Department of State on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) and visit travel.state.gov”
On November 24, the U.S. Embassy in Havana reiterated that warning with the following post on twitter: [2]
- “Worldwide Caution Due to increased tensions in Cuba and in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests, the Department of State advises U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased caution.”
- “U.S. citizens should: Stay alert in locations frequented by tourists and commonly used locations for demonstrations. • Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive information and alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency overseas. • Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.”
This warning by the U.S. Embassy came “just hours after a massive demonstration in favor of Palestine [in front of the U.S. Embassy in Havana] that was organized by the ruling Young Communist League (UJC), the University Student Federation (FEU) and the Federation of Students of the Secondary Education (FEEM). Students from that Arab nation on scholarships on the Island participated, some of them carrying photos of Hamas militia leaders.” Also participating in the demonstration, without speaking, were Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Balart and Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz.
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[1] U.S. State Department, Security Alert: Worldwide Caution (Nov. 14, 2023).
[2] U.S. Embassy in Cuba, Post on Twitter (Nov. 24. 2023); The US issues a warning due to the risk of a terrorist attack for its citizens in Cuba, Diario de Cuba (Nov. 26, 2023).