Continued Political Unrest in Honduras, 18th Update

August 10, 2009

To: All American Citizens
From: American Citizens Services Unit, Consular Section

Due to the current unstable political and security situation, the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa recommends American citizens defer all non-essential travel to Honduras until further notice.

The Embassy advises American citizens residing in and visiting Honduras to restrict travel to necessary trips only on Tuesday, August 11, due to potentially large demonstrations in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula. The Embassy also recommends American citizens avoid the vicinity of the Honduras - Costa Rica soccer match to be held August 12 in San Pedro Sula, as demonstrations are expected to take place there. The Embassy continues to monitor this situation closely and strongly recommends American citizens monitor local TV and radio each evening in case a curfew is again imposed.

The U.S Embassy has advised American employees and family members to restrict travel to necessary trips only on August 11.

Demonstrations both against and in favor of the new regime are expected to continue in many parts of the country. Demonstrations to date have been generally non-violent though there have been a few reports of injuries.

Tegucigalpa's Toncontin Airport will be open for normal business until further notice. We advise travelers to contact their airlines directly to confirm.

Those with flights scheduled with American Airlines may wish to call (504) 216-4800 (Honduras) or 1-800-433-7300 (United States). Those traveling with Delta Airlines may wish to call 1-800-241-4141 (United States and Central America) or (504) 550-1616 (San Pedro Sula). Those with flights scheduled with Continental Airlines may wish to call (504) 220-0999 (Tegucigalpa), (504) 557-4141 (San Pedro Sula), or 1-800-231-0856 (United States). Taca Airlines and its affiliates have cancelled domestic flights for the past week for reasons unrelated to the political unrest.

Most of Honduras' land borders with Guatemala and El Salvador are currently open to commercial and private vehicles. The borders between Honduras and Nicaragua have been closed intermittently since Friday, July 24.

The Embassy again strongly recommends that American citizens avoid large gatherings and do not try to pass roadblocks if they encounter them. American citizens should move away from any potential conflict between police and demonstrators. U.S. citizens should monitor the situation via media sources, including TV and radio when possible, and via the internet.

Barring changes in the security situation, the Consular Section will be open for normal business. This includes the immigrant, non-immigrant and American Citizens Services units at the Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa and the American Citizen Services unit at the Consular Agency in San Pedro Sula.

The U.S. Embassy distributes its warden messages via email, and posts them on its website. Messages received via SMS to cell phones are not U.S. Embassy messages and do not reflect U.S. government travel advice.

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet website, where the current Travel Warnings and Public Announcements, including the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, can be found.

Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

Americans living or traveling in Honduras are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department's travel registration website, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Honduras. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.

The U.S. Embassy is located on Avenida La Paz in Tegucigalpa; telephone (504) 238 5114, after hours telephone (504) 236 8497; Consular Section fax (504) 238 4357; E-mail: usahonduras@state.gov; Webpage: http://honduras.usembassy.gov