The Bahamas' Government is Warning Travelers to the US to Use 'Extreme Caution' Around Police

In the clearest gauge yet of how concerned other countries are about the wave of police violence in the US, the Bahamas has warned its citizens traveling to the country to “exercise extreme caution” in interactions with law enforcement. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration issued the advisory yesterday (July 8) in the wake of killings of black males by police and the fatal shooting by a sniper of five police officers in Dallas this week.

Bahamians are enjoying a long Independence Day weekend that’s a popular time to travel and their government told those visiting the US to be extra careful, especially in areas where the killings occurred.

“We wish to advise all Bahamians traveling to the US but especially to the affected cities to exercise appropriate caution generally,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration said in a statement yesterday (July 8). “In particular young males are asked to exercise extreme caution in affected cities in their interactions with the police. Do not be confrontational and cooperate.”

More than 90 percent of the Bahamas’ residents are black.

Black Lives Matter protests continued around the US on Saturday (July 9) but the Bahamian government urged its citizens to avoid not only demonstrations but large groups of people.

“Do not get involved in political or other demonstrations under any circumstances and avoid crowds,” it said.

The US issues travel advisories frequently, warning travelers about thepossibilities of terrorism, unrest, and storms, for example. The unusual and powerful message from the Bahamas is a reminder to the US that the rest of the world is watching, and worried.