One reliable yardstick to measure the turbulence now inhabiting our globe is to scrutinise advisories from the world’s governments that are issued to nationals traveling abroad into regions wracked by war and crime.

For example, earlier this month, the government of Canada upgraded its travel advisories to Israel and the West Bank, instructing Canadians to avoid all travel amid escalating tensions in that war-torn region. Before its most recent escalation to a stronger advisory, our government had warned Canadians to “avoid non-essential travel” to the region.

However, earlier this month, Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly wrote on X, formerly Twitter, stating, “With a heightened risk of attacks on Israeli territory, the regional security situation remains highly volatile and could escalate without notice.”

Other nations have also been issuing similar advisories to its nationals about traveling to this part of our now turbulent world; among these nations are India, France, Poland, and Russia, and others.

It is thus understandable that ongoing and escalating warfare in tumultuous regions of the world is the trigger for nations to issue researched and credible advisories to warn its nationals who are planning to travel abroad.

As noted on its travel website, the government of Canada’s Travel Advice and Advisories section helps the traveler to make informed decisions, and to travel safely while outside Canada. We are also advised to check the site often for updates on destinations since safety and security conditions may change.

It is also notable that these advisories do not only apply to regions of the world that are undergoing the extreme trauma of internecine warfare.

As difficult as it is to fathom, it is regrettable that homelands in our Caribbean region are also sites that trigger safety advisories from our Canadian government.

It is notable for our diaspora here in the GTA that recently, on March 28, our government issued an updated travel advisory for Trinidad and Tobago urging the exercise of a high degree of caution due to violent crime.

In its latest update, the government warned that “[violent] crime, including armed robberies, assaults and sexual assault, occurs frequently on the island of Trinidad, especially in the capital, Port-of-Spain”. The warning also stated that tourists have been targeted; also, there have been increased incidents of kidnapping for ransom since 2018.

It also noted, “Cruise ship passengers should be very careful when walking around the docks in Port-of-Spain. Shootings, kidnappings, and other gang- and drug-related violence also occur. There is a risk of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Petty crime, such as pickpocketing, bag-snatching and thefts from cars, occurs.”

Additionally, it advised travellers to avoid deserted beaches and isolated areas after dark, adding granular details about keeping from harm and violent attacks.

Among these details were, “Don’t walk alone at night. Don’t carry large amounts of cash or show signs of affluence. Ensure that your belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secure at all times. Never leave personal belongings, such as money, credit cards, cell phones and other electronics, unattended, especially on beaches. If possible, stay in hotels or villas with guards and security cameras. Criminals target foreigners.”

Visitors were also cautioned to remain highly vigilant in areas such as Laventille, Beetham Gardens, Sea Lots, Corcorite, Carenage, Morvant, Queen’s Park Savannah, among other unsafe spaces.

Regarding driving, the advisory warned that criminals target vehicles, and assault and rob victims.

“Drive with windows closed and doors locked, since thefts can occur at traffic lights or in slow-moving traffic. Gangs have followed cars leaving Trinidad’s Piarco International Airport to rob travellers at their destination,” the advisory warned.

We are beset by many woes in a turbulent world; we say to traveling members in our community, please be safe.