MINISTER of national security of Trinidad and Tobago (T&T), Stuart Young, has entered into discussions with the US Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago for the downward revision of a Level 2 travel advisory warning international guests to exercise increased caution in T&T due to crime and terrorism.

The notice, which was posted on the US Embassy’s website on Wednesday, March 6, warned visitors not travel to Laventille, Beetham, Sea Lots, Cocorite, and the interior of Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain due to crime.

The security alert also spoke to violent crime, such as murder, robbery, assault, sexual assault, home invasion, and kidnapping as being common in the country, while gang activities, such as narcotics trafficking, also account for a significant portion of violent crimes.

“Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas,” the security alert read.

However, the message did not sit well with Minister Young, who on Thursday, said that the notice is not an upgrade in the US travel advisory during a press conference called to quell fears across the country.

“There has been no substantial change. I contacted the US government and they told me that the only changes in language were stylistics changes. The US travel advisory has not increased any threat level or any concern about criminal activity compared to last year,” the minister said.

“This morning I have engaged the US Embassy here in Trinidad and told them I’d like the message sent back to the US government in Washington that we want to re-look at some of the languages in there, in particular, the language in respect to terrorist attacks, etc, which were previously employed in the travel advisory last year when we were facing a completely different period of time,” Young continued.

As a precautionary measure, the US Embassy in Trinidad advised guests travelling to Trinidad and Tobago to use caution when walking or driving at night as well as to be aware of their surroundings.

It added that guest should not display overt signs of wealth, such as expensive watches or jewellery, be extra vigilant when visiting ATMs, avoid all demonstrations and political gatherings, and do not physically resist any robbery attempt.

The US Embassy in T&T issued the first Level 2 warning to visitors traveling to the twin-island on February 22, 2018. On Wednesday, the embassy noted that following an annual review, the travel advisory remains at Level 2.

According to the consular affairs website, there are four travel advisory Levels with Level 4 being the highest and most serious. Level 2 generally is ‘Exercise Increased Caution’, which warns guests to be aware of heightened risks to safety and security.