The U.S. Embassy in Brazil has issued a heightened security advisory urging American citizens to exercise increased caution when traveling throughout the country, citing high levels of violent crime, including armed robbery, kidnapping, and assault.
The advisory, released this week, warns that serious criminal activity can occur without warning in both urban centers and rural areas, including informal housing settlements known as favelas, border zones, and satellite cities surrounding Brasília.
“Violent crime, including murder, armed robbery, and carjacking, is common,” the embassy stated. “There have also been instances of U.S. citizens being kidnapped for ransom.”
The warning highlights the prevalence of organized criminal networks tied to drug trafficking, with a particular emphasis on risks in major cities such as Rio de Janeiro. According to the embassy, there have been increasing reports of foreign nationals being targeted in bars or via dating apps, then drugged and robbed.
“Physical assaults involving the use of sedatives placed in drinks are a growing concern,” the statement reads. “These incidents often occur after criminals initiate contact with victims in nightlife settings or online.”
U.S. government personnel in Brazil face specific travel restrictions as part of the embassy’s internal safety protocols. Staff are prohibited from using municipal bus services due to the risk of armed robberies and are barred from traveling to designated high-risk areas, including favelas and certain outlying regions of the capital.
“Neither tour operators nor law enforcement agencies can guarantee safety within these communities,” the embassy warned.
Additionally, American citizens are advised to avoid traveling within 100 miles (160 kilometers) of Brazil’s borders with Bolivia, Colombia, Guyana, French Guiana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela, with the exception of visits to the Iguazu Falls and Pantanal National Park, which remain open to tourists.
Areas bordering Argentina and Uruguay were not included in the advisory.
Travelers are encouraged to remain vigilant, avoid displaying signs of wealth, and monitor local media for updates. The full travel advisory can be accessed through the U.S. State Department’s official website.
