Travel Advisory for Haiti from The Bahamas

The Bahamas Government Issues Updated Travel Advisory on Haiti

Updated Travel Advisory for Haiti – 17th July 2025. 7:06 pm - Nassau, N.P., The Bahamas                    

SUMMARY - Avoid all travel to areas in Haiti impacted by gang violence, widespread kidnappings, political instability, and severe shortages of essential supplies.  All but essential travel is advised to other areas as described below.  There is a high risk of violent crime, including armed robbery, murder, and kidnapping; frequent civil unrest; limited access to airports and borders; and natural disaster risks (hurricanes, earthquakes).

AVOID ALL TRAVEL TO: Port-au-Prince (Bel Air, Carrefour, Cite Soleil, Martissant and other areas); the following Departments: Artibonite, Centre, Nord-Ouest, Nippes, Ouest, Grand Anse.  Also avoid border regions with the Dominican Republic.

AVOID ALL BUT ESSENTIAL TRAVEL TO The following Departments: Nord, Nord-Est, Sud, and Sud-Est including Cap-Haïtien, Jacamel, and Fort Liberte.  Travel with caution and refer to travel advice before departure.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS - Required Documents:

- Passport Must be valid for at least 6 months from entry date with at least one blank page.

- Visa: Not required for most stays for tourism or business.  A USD 10 tourist tax is payable upon arrival (cash only, in USD, EUR, or CAD; exempt for children under 5 and diplomatic passport holders).

- Alien Registration: Stays over 90 days require registration with the Directorate of Immigration and Emigration.  Non-compliance may result in fines or deportation.

- Financial Proof: No specific solvency requirements, but travellers should carry sufficient funds for their stay.

- Travel Documentation: Return/onward ticket required.  Proof of accommodation may be requested.

- Vaccinations: Yellow fever vaccination mandatory if arriving from a risk area.

- By Sea: Same requirements as air travel.  Private vessels require clearance from Haitian authorities; contact the Haitian Coast Guard for details.

- Immigration and Customs Declaration: Declare cash or goods over USD 10,000 to avoid fines or confiscation.

- A “Départ/Sòti” card is issued upon entry; retain it for departure, as loss may cause delays or fines.

- Border Screening: Expect rigorous inspections, including document verification and luggage checks.

- Electronic devices (phones, laptops) may be inspected; refusal to unlock may lead to delays, confiscation, or entry denial.

- Unaccompanied minors or those with one parent need notarized consent from both parents or a death certificate if applicable.

- Criminal records may result in entry denial at the discretion of Haitian authorities.

- Permanent Residents and Extended Travel: Bahamian permanent residents of Haiti face increased scrutiny if absent for over 6 months.  Apply for a re-entry permit before leaving.

Contact Haitian Immigration Service for details.

- TRAVEL BY AIR: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has extended its prohibition on U.S. commercial flights to Port-au-Prince until September 2025, following gang attacks on aircraft in November 2024, which disrupted international operations.

Domestic flights from Port-au-Prince’s Toussaint Louverture International Airport to provincial cities (Cap-Haïtien, Jacmel, Les Cayes, Jérémie) have resumed as of June 12, 2025.

Cap-Haïtien International Airport in northern Haiti and the newly designated Antoine Simon International Airport in Les Cayes in the south serve as the primary entry points for international travelers.  These entry points are considered safe.

Travelers can connect to Port-au-Prince via domestic flights from Cap-Haïtien or Les Cayes, though costs and security concerns may affect accessibility and reliability.

Bahamasair operates flights between Nassau and Cap-Haïtien on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturdays. Additional booking information is available here.

SAFETY AND SECURITY- Crime: Gangs control significant areas of the Port-au-Prince, including key roads and neighbourhoods like Cité Soleil, Martissant, Croix-des-Bouquets, and Bel Air.

Artibonite, and certain areas of Jeremie are also seeing increased gang activity.

Extremely high levels of violent crime, including armed robbery, murder, and kidnapping, especially in Port-au-Prince, Cap-Haïtien, and Artibonite.

Crime is less extreme in other areas but is still very prevalent, as gangs attempt to extend their reach beyond the capital region.

Rape is increasingly common in areas with high gang activity.

- Safety Tips: Avoid all travel to dangerous zones; only lodge at secure locations.

Stockpile essentials (water, food, fuel).

Avoid public transport, walking, or driving at night.

Use secure vehicles with locked doors and tinted windows.

- Haitian National Police (HNP) Police Nationale d’Haïti (PNH)

Police presence is not guaranteed in all regions and departments.

There are rogue elements of the Haitian National Police, please exercise caution when approaching or being approached by HNP.

- Demonstrations and Civil Unrest: Frequent violent protests in Port-au-Prince, Cap-Haïtien, and other cities, often with road blockades and attacks on infrastructure.

A nationwide state of emergency is in effect, with curfews and enhanced police powers.

- Advice: Avoid protests, monitor local media, and comply with curfews.

- Terrorism: Capital and nearby zones beset by gang violence, with crowded areas (markets, transport hubs) as potential targets due to instability.

Stay vigilant and avoid large gatherings.

- Cultural Sensitivities - Ethnic Considerations: While The Bahamas and Haiti share a common heritage, the current security crisis transcends cultural or racial lines.  The primary danger for any traveller, including Bahamians, stems from the perception of being foreign or affluent.

- Produce and agricultural goods: The import of agricultural goods from Haiti is legal, but importers much ensure proper phytosanitary documentation is available.  Endangered species such as conch and other seafood require CITES-compliant documentation to be approved for entry.

- Firearms: Firearms are widespread among gangs and civilians.  Avoid areas with gunfire, especially at night.

Do not attempt to supply or procure firearms in Haiti under any pretext.

HEALTH - Medical Care:

Healthcare is severely limited, with under-equipped hospitals and frequent closures due to violence.  Payment is required upfront, even with insurance.

Public hospitals, especially those attached to Universities, have frequently become the target of gang efforts to destroy, terrorise, or vandalise premises.

Obtain travel insurance covering hospitalisation and medical evacuation.

- Vaccinations and Diseases:

Mandatory: Yellow fever (if from risk areas).

- Recommended: Cholera, hepatitis A/B, typhoid, tetanus, diphtheria, polio, rabies, and malaria prophylaxis.

- Diseases: Ongoing cholera epidemic (since October 2022), dengue, chikungunya, zika, and malaria.  Use mosquito repellent, long clothing, and bed nets.

- Water and Food Safety: Drink only bottled or boiled water; avoid tap water and ice.

- Eat well-cooked food; avoid raw fruits/vegetables unless peeled.

- LAWS AND CUSTOMS -Legal Status and Identification:

Carry a passport copy with entry stamp at all times; police may demand proof of legal status.

Failure to produce ID may lead to detention or fines.

- Restricted Items: Medications: Carry prescriptions in original containers, limited to stay duration plus one week.  Include a doctor’s note.

- Controlled Substances: Cannabis and other drugs are illegal, with penalties including 1–15 years imprisonment and deportation for foreigners.

- Agricultural Products: Fresh fruits, vegetables, and seeds are prohibited.  Declare all food; fines up to USD 10,000 for non-compliance.

- Alcohol/Tobacco: Limited to 1 carton of cigarettes and 3 liters of liquor per adult; declare excess.

- Natural Disasters - Hurricanes: Season runs June to November, with heavy rains, floods, and landslides. Monitor National Hurricane Center and follow evacuation orders.

- Earthquakes: Haiti is seismically active (e.g., 2010 and 2021 quakes).  Tsunami risks exist in coastal areas.

- Climate Differences: Tropical climate with temperatures of 25–32°C and high humidity. 

- Rainy seasons: April–June, October–November.

- Pack lightweight clothing, rain gear, and sunscreen.

Beach/Coastal Safety: Strong currents and lack of lifeguards make swimming hazardous.  Avoid isolated beaches due to crime risks.

- CONTACT(S) FOR OVERSEAS OFFICES

If you are in urgent need of consular assistance, please email: consularcrisis@bahamas.gov.bs.

- Embassy of The Bahamas in Haiti Contact information:

12 Rue Goulard Place Boyer

Pétion-Ville, Haiti

Telephone: 242-376-8785

Telephone: 011-509-47345895

E-mail: bahamasembassyhaiti@bahamas.gov.bs,

- Local Emergency Services:

- Police: 114

- Medical Emergency: 117 (Ebola-specific; general services limited)

- Haitian Coast Guard: +509 2811 1111

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Bahamians Killed in Haiti

Reports of Two Bahamians Killed in Haiti

Two Jamacians Drown in Haitian Waters

13TH JULY 2025, 9:25 PM. Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas

The Ministry has received, via our Embassy in Port au Prince unconfirmed reports that two Bahamians were killed in Haiti.  The report from Île de la Tortue today is that three Bahamian males and a Jamaican male, while on a speed boat, were shot at by unknown persons, which resulted in two of the males being killed and another hospitalized. One male remains unaccounted for.

The Brigade de Lutte contre le Trafic de Stupéfiants (BLTS), which is the counternarcotics unit of the Haitian National Police (HNP) has confirmed that today, July 13th, 2025, “under the leadership of Acting Superintendent Jeir Pierre, the Port-de-Paix police and prosecutor’s office intercepted a rowboat heavily laden with drugs.  The result: two Jamaicans drowned, one body in the morgue, and a Bahamian in custody.  The BLTS seized more than 90 kg of cocaine.  Several other suspicious boats are believed to be still at large.  A first in the history of the Northwest.”

The Ministry is communicating with the official and relevant authorities in Haiti and will continue to monitor and provide updated information.

Source

The Worrying Behaviours and Trends among Teens in The Bahamas

The Bahamas Ministry of Health Global School Health Report 2025

The Vices and Challenges in the Life of Teens in The Bahamas

From the 2025 GSHS - The Bahamas

The literature is saturated with irrefutable links between chilchood obesity, adolesoent (teen) obesity and adult obesity.  A 2024 systematic review concluded that obese children and teens were five times more likely to be obese in aduilthood than their non-obese counterparts.

The review further revealed that around 55% of obese chidren become obese in adolescence: around 80% of obese adolescents will still be obese in adulthood; and around 70% will be obese over age 30.  In TheBahamas, 71.6% of adults are overweight.  Of this, 43.6% are obese.  Recall adolescent obesity in the country stands at 21%.

Food insecurity significantly impacts adolescent development, and is associated with low diet quality. poor health, and challenges in cognitive and social development. Adolescents facing food shortages are more likely to struggle with behavioral issues, lower educational attainment, school absenteeism, and experiences of bullying.

The impact is even more far-reaching, as adolescents experiencing food insecurity are also more prone to feelings of worry and shame, mental health challenges, and heightened vulnerability to unwanted sexual contact, exploitation early labor market entry, and involvement in the criminal justice system, all of which limit life choices.

In The Bahamas, 30 8% of teens curently experience food insecurity - a notable improvement from 43.7% in 1998.  However, this figure remains above the 27.5% global average for adolescent food insecurity.

In 2019, 33% of all Bahanians faced some level of food insecurity, a rate significantly higher than the global average of 9% but below the 43% average for the English-speaking Caribbean.

Sugar, fat and salt (in excess) have been recognized as nutrients of public health concern.  The vast majority of teens (71.7%) consume weekly diets high in fat, salt and added sugars.

By contrast, only 5.7% and 10.3% of teens eat the recommended daily intake (RDl) of fruits and vegetables, respectively.  These dietary habits are compounded by low physical activity levels, with 83.3% of teens failing to meet the minimum physical activity level.

These realities underscore that the nutrition quality of meals consumed by teens and physical activity need laser-focused attention and aggressive policy in-roads.

Given the increasing prevalence of NCDs in the general population, the increase in NCD risk factors among Bahamian adolescents has consequential implications for The Bahamas' ability to achieve and sustainably fund any universal health coverage scheme.

Basic health screenings or preventative health checks among teens are low, while beliefs contributing to vaccine hesitancy are notably high.  Among the preventive health behaviors surveyed, only eye examinations show a slight upward trend, albeit marginal.

Sexual behavior trends showed mixed resuts.  More teens abstained from sex in 2023 compared to previous survey cycles, and fewer sexually active teens reported having muitiple partners - 14.6% in 2023, down from 55.1% in 1998.

Despite this progress, risky bahaviors are still too common.  Among sexually active teens, there was a concerning gap between teens' knowledge of condom benefits (71.6%) and actual condom usage rato (47.7%) during their last sexual encounter.

Also, at that time, only 6.8% reported using hormonal birth control to prevent pregnancy.  Disturbingly, 56.6% of sexuallly teens initiated sexual activity at sge 13 or younger, with boys more likely than girls to debut early and have multiple sex partners.

The 2025 GSHS paints an unsettling profile of substance use among teens in The Bahamas.  The lifetime smoking prevalence of traditional cigarettes stands at 20.3%, and current prevalence is 11%, underscoring the persistent use of traditional tobacco products in Bahamian society.

Globally, however, e-cigarette use is outpacing traditional cigarette consumption among teens, a trend that is  mirrored in The Bahamas.  Although The Bahamas lacks multi-year data on e-cigarette use among teens, the 2023 GSHS introduces new insights into this emerging product.

Notably, while traditional cigarette use remains higher among boys compared to girls, the gender gap has narrowed significantly between 2013 and 2023.  In contrast, e-cigarette use is more prevalent among girls (17.6%) than bays (16.4%), with an overal prevalence of 17.2%, meaning nearly 2 in 10 Bahamian teens currently use e-cigarettes.

When compared internationally, the prevalence of e-cigarette use among Bahamian teens rivals global prevalences.  For instance, the average e-cigarette prevalence is 18.1% in Europe (2021); 17.4% in the United States (2022); and 1447, in Cenada (2022).

Within the Cabbean sub-region, e-cigarette use for Bahamian  teens is among the highest, equaling those of Trinidad and Tobago (17.2%), and significatly surpassing Antigua and Barbuda (4%), Jamaica (11.7%), and St.Lucia (11%).

Alcohol consumption is widesproad, with 73.9% of teans roporting use (excluding religious secraments), and 33.6% identifying as current alcohol drinkers.

Binge drinking and drunkedness are increasing, especilly among girls.  These statistics are disconcerting, especially given the survey sampling age was 12 to 18 years; and the national legal drinking age is 18 years.  There is a higher proportion of girls than boys engaged in the harmful use of alcohol- binge drinking and intoxication.

Lifetime illegal drug use is also on the rise - with  marijuana at 16.6% and non prescription opioids at 4.9%.  Cocaine use rose from 1% in 1998 to 12% in 2023.

Altogether, these are worrying trends.  Boys are more likely than girls to use illegal substances.

Opinions on access to drugs varied, with 29.3% finding it impossible or very difficult, 11.1% fairly difficult, and 16.5% fairly easy or very easy to accoss. Forty-three (43%) did not know the easy or difficulty of obtaining illegal drugs.

Source / Full Report

The Mental Health of Teens in The Bahamas continues to Worsens

The Depressed and Hopeless Teen in The Bahamas

The Bahamas Ministry of Health’s Global School Health Report 2025

Several factors contribute to the perpetuation of violence within societies.  Witnessing violence is one of those factors.  In 2023, 32.8% of teens reported experiencing or witnessing violence at home, a notable increase from 25% in 1998.  Additionally, nearly 30% of teens reported being involved in physical fights, while 27% were physically attacked in the past year, The prevalence of teens carrying weapons climbed from 12.6% (1998) to 18.2% (2023), a 44% increase.  Furthermore, almost 8% of teens admit to being a current gang member.

Bullying continues to be a lived experience for far too many teens, Over 1 in 3 teens (38%) report being bullied either on or off school premises, and 15.7% report being cyberbullied.

Unacceptably, almost 10% of Bahamian teens have been forced to have sex.  An additional 9.6% have been sexually exploited.  While more girls are forced to have sex, more boys experience sexual exploitation and, in the relationship context, emotional abuse.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), suicide ranks among the top three leading causes of death among teens globally and in the LAC region.  Overall, the mental health of teens in The Bahamas continues to worsen, with close to 30% of teens always or most times feeling depressed and hopeless, compared to 19.9% in 1998.  In addition, teens who always or most times feel lonely have more than doubled, reaching 25.6%.  The proportion of teens unable to sleep due to excessive worrying increased from 14.1%% in 2013 to 19.6% in 2023.

The proportion of teens seriously contemplating suicide has risen significantly, nearly quadrupling from 6.6% in 1998 to 25.2% in 2023.

Currently, 23.1%% of Bahamian teens have formulated a suicide plan, and 19.5% have attempted suicide.  To put this into perspective, in a typical classroom of 35 students, approximately 9 students have seriously considered suicide, 8 students have created a plan, and 7 students have made a suicide attempt.

Self-harm behaviours, without the intent to die, have also surged - almost tripling from 9.5% in 1998 to 26.7% in 2023.  Girls are disproportionately affected by suicidality and self-harm behaviours relative to their male counterparts.  These troubling trends highlight an urgent need for targeted and gender-sensitive mental health interventions for Bahamian teens, with particular attention to the higher vulnerability among girls.

The data highlights the interconnected nature of bullying, loneliness, worry, and mental health outcomes, with loneliness and worry contributing to, but not solely determining, harmful behaviors.

Although 61.3% of teens know where to access professional mental health help, only 23.4 %% feel they have someone to confide in about their personal worries and problems.  And, 58,4% rarely or never talk to anyone about their challenges, indicating a critical gap between awareness of resources and availability of trusted, accessible support systems.  Bridging the gap between professional resources and personal support will be essential to building resilience and improving mental health outcomes for Bahamian adolescents.

Source / Full Report

The Bahamas Ministry of Health’s Global School Health Report 2025

The Depressed State of Bahamian Adolescents in The Bahamas

While 60.3% of teens live in a home with their father or a father figure - a term encompassing relatives or parental partners/friends who take on a paternal role - many teens, in increasing proportions, still feel unheard (60.4%) - and misunderstood (72.4%) by their parents or guardians.  These feelings are more frequently reported by girls than boys.

Parental involvement in academic activities, particularly homework monitoring, has appreciably declined over the years.  In 1998, 78.2% of Bahamian teens reported that their parents regularly checked their homework, while only 21.4% said their parents rarely or never did so.  By 2023, the percentage of parents routinely monitoring homework had plummeted to 30.5%, with 50.2% of teens indicating their parents rarely or never paid attention to their homework.  This decline is more pronounced among girls, and becomes increasingly common as teens progress to higher grade levels.

Additionally, 37.2% of teens state that their parents or guardians never or rarely knew what they were doing during their free time.  These findings may allude to widening disconnect between teens and their caregivers.

Across nearly all measures/variables - unhealthy diets, substance use (excluding illegal drugs), bullying, witnessing violence at home, and mental health struggles, as well as suicidal thoughts and behaviors - Bahamian girls face disproportionate burdens, experiencing greater negative impacts.  Research by Dr. David Allen concludes that high academic performance is not a sufficient protective factor to mitigate risky behaviour; as supported by students with high GPAs can still exhibit elevated levels of depression and PTSD.  This is corroborated by the GSHS findings, which reveal that while girls tend to have higher GPAs, they also report higher incidences of these adverse experiences and behaviors.  This deserves a pause.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are well documented as significant risk factors for a wide range of negative outcomes across the lifespan.  These outcomes relate to physical health issues, mental health disorders, behavioural issues, lower educational attainment, exposure to violence and intergenerational transmission of violence - among others.  While the GSHS is not a formal instrument for measuring ACEs, The Bahamas' adaptatIon of the survey did incorporate questions addressing key ACE-related factors such as experiences of violence, sexual abuse, lack of parental support, household drug use, hunger, and more.

Research consistently shows a dose - response relationship between ACEs and negative outcomes.  Meaning, that as the number of ACEs increases the likelihood of experiencing negative outcomes also rises.  Of the ACEs explored in the GSHS, 93.9% of teens in The Bahamas had 1 ACE, 52.3% had 2 ACEs and 13.5% had 3 or more ACEs.

These adverse experiences were more prevalent among girls than boys.

Source / Full Report

FNM Ratified Candidates

Nassau, NP, The Bahamas - The Official Opposition Party, Free National Movement (FNM) ratifies 17 candidates for the next general election - which is lawfully due by fall 2026

- The candidates include two incumbents - namely: Adrian White, St. Anne’s; and Kwasi Thompson, East Grand Bahama.

- Former National Security Minister, Marvin Dames was ratified for the Mount Moriah constituency - where he has previously represented.

- Former leader of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA), Arinthia Komolafe was ratified as the FNM Standard Bearer for the Carmichael constituency.   She resigned as DNA leader in 2021.

- Former Minister of Immigration, Elsworth Johnson was confirmed as the FNM Standard Bearer for the Yamacraw constituency.

- Ricky Mackey is the party's Standard Bearer for North Eleuthera, a constituency he has previously represented.

- Senator Darren Henfield was named as the FNM Candidate for the South Beach constituency.

Other FNM Standard Bearers include:

- Philippa Kelly, Central and South Eleuthera constituency

- Dr. Nicholas Fox, the Fox Hill constituency

- Brian Brown, the Golden Isles constituency

- Dr. Jacqueline Penn-Knowles, the Marathon constituency

- Michael Foulkes, Golden Gates

- Omar Isaacs, the West Grand Bahama and Bimini constituency

- Terrece Bootle, the North Abaco constituency

- Debra Moxey-Rolle, Exumas and Ragged Island constituency

- Carlton Bowleg, the North Andros and the Berry Islands constituency

- Jeremy Sweeting, Central and South Abaco constituency

- Michael Foulkes, the Golden Gates constituency

Party Leader, Michael Pintard said the first slate of candidates are capable of delivering change.

He called on party supporters to retire the governing Progressive Liberal Party (PLP).

“Fire them,” Pintard said.

No Official Evidence Confirms the U.S. Coast Guard Intercepted Iranians and Russians from The Bahamas

No Official Statement Confirms the U.S. Coast Guard Intercepted a Boatload of Iranians and Russians from The Bahamas

No official evidence confirms the U.S. Coast Guard intercepted a boat of Iranians and Russians from The Bahamas, as claimed by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna.

Recent Coast Guard reports from June 2025 mention Cubans, Chinese, and others, but not Iranians or Russians in this context.

Social media posts echo the claim without credible sources.  While Luna's statement suggests possible insider knowledge, the lack of documentation makes it likely unverified or inaccurate. Official clarification is needed.

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