1. Studied organized and presented by
Thiago Bergo
Corporate Security Regional Manager
South America

2.  Part I – Special Warning about Terrorism;
 Part II – Overview about The World's Most
Dangerous Destinations;
 Part III – Special Warning about The Passport
Fraud;
 Part IV – Special Warning about Drug Offenses
Abroad;
 Part V – Special Warning about Young Person
Risk Murder Abroad;
 Part VI – Ten Points Foreigners Travelers
should adhere to when exploring the globe.

3. Special Warning about Terrorism

4. • Terrorist acts occur unpredictably, making it impossible to protect yourself
absolutely. The first and best protection is to avoid travel to areas where
there has been a persistent record of terrorist attacks or kidnappings.
• Most terrorist attacks are the result of careful planning. Just as a car
thief will first be attracted to an unlocked car with the key in the ignition,
terrorists are looking for the most accessible targets. The chances that a
tourist, traveling with an unpublished program or itinerary, would be the
victim of terrorism are slight. In addition, many terrorist groups, seeking
publicity for political causes within their own country or region, may not
be looking for American targets.
• Nevertheless, the following pointers may help you avoid becoming a
target of opportunity. These precautions may provide some degree of
protection, and can serve as practical and psychological deterrents to
would-be terrorists.

5. • As much as possible, avoid luggage tags, dress and behavior that may
draw attention to yourself.
• Keep an eye out for abandoned packages or briefcases, or other
suspicious items. Report them to airport authorities and leave the area
promptly.
• Avoid obvious terrorist targets, such as places where Westerners are
known to congregate.
• Watch for people following you or "loiterers" observing your comings and
goings.
• Report any suspicious activity to local police, and the nearest country
embassy or consulate.
• Keep a mental note of safe havens, such as police stations, hotels, and
hospitals. Formulate a plan of action for what you will do if a bomb
explodes or there is gunfire nearby.

6. • Select your own taxicabs at random. Don't take a vehicle
that is not clearly identified as a taxi. Compare the face of
the driver with the one on his or her posted license. If
possible, travel with others.
• Be sure of the identity of visitors before opening the door of
your hotel room. Don't meet strangers at your hotel room, or
at unknown or remote locations.
• Refuse unexpected packages.
• Check for loose wires or other suspicious activity around
your car.
• Be sure your vehicle is in good operating condition.

7.  Schedule direct flights if possible, and avoid stops in high-risk airports
or areas.
 Be cautious about what you discuss with strangers or what others may
overhear.
 Try to minimize the time spent in the public area of an airport, which is
a less protected area. Move quickly from the check-in counter to the
secured areas. Upon arrival, leave the airport as soon as possible.
 Drive with car windows closed in crowded streets. Bombs can be
thrown through open windows.
 If you are ever in a situation where somebody starts shooting, drop to
the floor or get down as low as possible. Don't move until you are sure
the danger has passed. Do not attempt to help rescuers and do not
pick up a weapon. If possible, shield yourself behind a solid object. If
you must move, crawl on your stomach.

8.  Overview about The World's Most Dangerous
Destinations

9.  To come up with the world’s most dangerous
countries, we asked consultancies on the Internet
Basis which provide us with their watch lists. Some
Security Agencies & Consultancies assigns countries
a rating of one to five, with five being the most
dangerous.
 Some Consultancies assesses countries for overall
security, terrorism and travel risks and rates each
category on a five-point scale. “Extreme” and “high”
are the first-most and second-most dangerous
ratings.

10. • Level Risk 5: Extreme security
and travel risk
• The U.S. doesn't have an
embassy in Somalia, putting
American citizens who travel
there out of reach of U.S.
assistance. Somalia's federal
government recently retook
control of much of the country
from the Union of Islamic
Courts, but this could mean less
stability ahead, not more.
Interclan fighting and attacks on
foreigners are frequent, as are
abductions.
Somalia

11. • Level Risk 5: High security and
travel risk
• There is no effective police force in
Haiti, where the State Department
calls the danger of kidnappings
“chronic and growing.” General
elections in February 2006 brought
about some political stability, aided
by the presence of 8,000 U.N.
peacekeeping troops. But violence
persists, says Control Risks, thanks
in part to the proliferation of
firearms, an inefficient judiciary and
police corruption.
Haiti

12. • Level Risk 5: Extreme security, terrorism and
travel risk
• No region of Iraq is safe for visitors, not even
Baghdad’s well-fortified Green Zone. The U.S.-
led occupation has not tamed the insurgency,
which is most concentrated in the central
region that stretches from Tikrit in the north to
Hillah in the south. Various criminal gangs and
international terrorists are also active in Iraq
and civilians die daily in attacks.
• The security situation in Iraq remains highly
volatile, and the Foreign Office advises against
all travel to Baghdad as well as a number of
provinces, including Basra and Kirkuk. There is
a continuing high threat of terrorism throughout
the country, including the threat of kidnapping
of foreign nationals.
Iraq

13. Afghanistan• Level Risk 5: Extreme security, terrorism and
travel risk
• Travelers face the ongoing threat of kidnapping
and assassination in Afghanistan, especially
outside of Kabul. Former Taliban and al-Qaida
operatives remain at large, and attacks with
improvised explosive devices are on the rise.
Large areas of the country are heavily land-
mined or strewn with unexploded ordnance.
• Afghanistan has a high threat of terrorism, with
a strong risk of kidnap, violent crime and
suicide attacks across the country. The Foreign
Office from UK strongly advises against all but
essential travel to Kabul, adding that “no part of
Afghanistan should be considered immune from
violence and the potential exists throughout the
country for hostile acts”.

14.  Level Risk 5: Extreme security, terrorism and
travel risk
 The Foreign Offices advises against all travel to
Chechnya, Ingushetia and Dagestan because of
the security situation in the North Caucasus. Rebel
fighters in Chechnya issued a warning to tourists
not to visit Kabardino-Balkaria.
 There is more Russian Mafia in this place than
police. This city is not run by government officials,
but by gangsters. A Russian is murdered here
every 20 minutes. That’s almost 85 murders a day.
Sure there is 100's of millions of people in Russia,
but that’s an astonishing stat. Prostitution and drug
trafficking run by the Russian crime syndicate or
definitely real in this place. Kidnappings and rapes,
just to name a handful of tests you will face when
you visit here. Chechnya is absolutely a third world
city. Foreigners should think twice before visiting
here.
Chechnya

15. • Level Risk 5: High risk in at
least one category and region
• Hostilities with Israel ended last
August, but political tensions
within Lebanon have been on
the rise. The armed Shiite group
Hezbollah (also a political party
in Lebanon) maintains a strong
presence in many areas, and
other extremist groups are
active in Tripoli, Sidon and
Palestinian refugee camps.
• In the south, the danger of
encountering land mines and
unexploded ordnance is
significant.
Lebanon

16. Democratic Republic of Congo
• Level Risk 5: High security and travel risk;
extreme security and travel risk in northeast
• The civil war has ended and the country held
presidential elections last year, but dangers
persist. Crime levels are high in the main cities,
and strife continues in certain regions,
especially the northeastern Ituri district and the
provinces of North and South Kivu. U.N.
observer forces, located around the country, are
unable to prevent pillaging, carjacking, murders,
rapes and kidnappings.

17. • Level Risk 5: High security and
travel risk; extreme security and
travel risk in rebel-held north and
near western border
• Though a 2002 uprising supposedly
ended in 2003, the north of the
country remains under the control of
armed rebels, and sporadic fighting
has taken place in Abidjan, the
commercial capital.
• The overall security situation remains
potentially volatile, according to the
State Department. They says that the
rebellion exacerbated a rise in violent
crime, including carjacking and
armed robbery.
Côte d’Ivoire

18.  Level Risk 5: High risk in at least one category and
region
 There is a very high risk of kidnapping and armed
robbery in the Niger Delta area. Forty one British
nationals and more than 200 other foreign nationals
have been kidnapped in the region since January
2006. One British national has been killed in this
period, and the most recent kidnap was of one
British national in Akwa Ibom State on October 9.
There is a general threat of terrorism in Nigeria, and
violent crime is prevalent in the south, including
Lagos.

19. • Level Risk 5: High risk in at
least one category and region
• Another new addition to our
list, Chad is experiencing both
tensions between the
government and rebel groups,
and interethnic fighting in the
east, where the country
borders the Darfur region of
Sudan. The U.S. State
Department reports an
increase in the amount of
highway banditry across the
country and some harassment
of American citizens at
government roadway
checkpoints.
Chad

20. • Level Risk 5: High risk in at least one
category and region
• In the summer of 2003, Liberia's 14-year civil
war was brought to a close with a
peacekeeping agreement and the exile of
Charles Taylor, the former president. But there
are still some 15,000 U.N. peacekeepers
stationed throughout the country. Crime is a
major problem, with theft, sexual assault and
murder common.
Liberia

21. • Level Risk 5: High risk in at least one category
and region
• The western region of Darfur remains the most
dangerous part of the country for locals and
foreigners alike, with ongoing violence between
government-backed militias, government troops
and local insurgent groups. Large areas of the
south, however, also see fighting between local
militias. Sporadic terrorist attacks in Sudan have
been aimed at U.S. and Western targets, and
kidnappings are common.
• The threat from indiscriminate terrorism is high in
Sudan and the humanitarian situation remains grim
– more than two million people have been
displaced by fighting in Darfur. Banditry is
widespread in Darfur, especially in rural areas at
night. The Foreign Office advises against all travel
to a number of areas, including the Eritrean border.
Sudan

22. • Level Risk 4: High security and terrorism risk; extreme
security and travel risk in tribal areas bordering
Afghanistan
• Domestic Islamic extremist groups, most of which are tied
to al-Qaida, pose a serious risk to foreign companies and
their workers. Car bombs, gun and grenade attacks and
suicide bombings are aimed at Western targets, domestic
politicians and local religious minorities and have
frequently killed civilians. The capital, Islamabad, and
tribal areas bordering Afghanistan are particularly
dangerous.
• There is a high threat of terrorism and sectarian violence
throughout the country, and the Foreign Office advises
against all travel to areas where there are reports of
“military or militant activity”. There are regular suicide
bombings and attacks on positions of authority and
locations frequented by foreign nationals – in September
this year a major explosion destroyed the Marriott Hotel in
Islamabad, killing more than 50 people and injuring more
than 250.
Pakistan

23. • Level Risk 4: High security and travel risk; extreme security
and travel risk in provinces of Cibitoke, Bubanza and
Bujumbura Rural
• Those provinces are considered high-risk areas as a result of
the presence of FNL rebels and the sporadic clashes between
the militants and government troops. The two provinces also
share borders with Congo (DRC) where cross-border
incursions by guerrilla groups from either groups continue to
occur. There is also a risk of kidnapping.
• Peripheral suburbs of Bujumbura
• It is advisable to avoid all but business-critical travel to the
provinces of Cibitoke and Bubanza, as well as the suburbs of
Bujumbura. If travel is essential, high-level security
arrangements and possibly an army escort should accompany
travelers.
• Bujumbura Rural province: EXTREME RISK LEVEL
• The incidence of banditry and politically motivated attacks on
the security forces by gunmen believed to be former FNL
rebels in Bujumbura Rural contribute to the province's Extreme
risk rating. Only essential travel to Bujumbura Rural should be
undertaken, during daylight hours and with high-level security
co-ordination. An army escort may be necessary in some
areas.
Burundi

24. • Level Risk 4: Extreme security and travel risk and a
high terrorism risk in Tamil-majority north and east;
• While foreigners are not directly targeted, the risk of
becoming collateral damage is rising in the north and
northeast.
• Travel risks in Eastern province remain high despite
the fact government forces retook control of the region
from the separatist guerrilla Liberation Tigers of Tamil
Eelam (LTTE) in 2007. Despite the military defeat of
the LTTE, underlying issues in the province, such as
ethnic tension, kidnapping, organized crime and
rivalries between LTTE factions, still pose a risk to
foreigners. The threat of sporadic clashes between
security forces and remnants of the LTTE remains, but
travel to Eastern province is possible with stringent
security precautions and professional planning. A
secure escort may be required in some areas.
Trincomalee is generally safer than the districts of
Ampara and Batticaloa.
• Northern province: HIGH
Sri Lanka

25. MexicoRISK ZONES US border states (Baja California, Sonora,
Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León and Tamaulipas), Sinaloa and
Guerrero: HIGH
An overwhelming majority of fatalities linked to the continuing conflict
with the cartels have occurred in the border city of Ciudad Juarez
(Chihuahua). 36% of the drug trafficking-related deaths in Mexico's
drugs war from 2006-2010 was attributed to this conflict centered in
Ciudad Juárez (Chihuahua). However, similar violence has increased
across the state in recent months, including in its eponymous capital.
Similarly, while violent incidents in Tamaulipas had previously been
almost exclusively limited to the US border cities of Nuevo Laredo,
Reynosa and Matamoros, recent cartel activity, including car
bombings in the state capital Ciudad Victoria, as well as multiple
shoot-outs in Tampico, resulted in large security force deployments to
these areas.
Although the latter remains less affected by such incidents than other
cities rated HIGH risk and is expected to remain so, public shoot-outs
and so-called 'narco-blockades', whereby streets or even entire
neighborhoods are blocked by drug traffickers to allow them to carry
out attacks uninterrupted by the security forces, have occurred in the
city. Such blockades can be erected during daylight hours and result
in significant travel disruption on major roads.

26.  Baja California, Sinaloa, Sonora and Coahuila are all affected by
violence linked to inter-cartel struggles for control of key
thoroughfares that connect major urban areas south to north, and
ultimately to the US border; such roads are highly prized key-
trafficking routes. In Baja California, cartel activity tends to spread
southwards from the state's border cities of Tijuana, Tecate and
Mexicali on the US frontier. Violent incidents increasingly also take
place in the city of Ensenada, south of Tijuana.
 Violence in Sonora is primarily concentrated in the border town of
Heróica Nogales, its proximity to the state of Chihuahua to the east
and Sinaloa to the south – arguably the most violent states in the
country – make it a strategic point for the passage of drugs,
weapons and cartel members. The roads that connect Sonora to
these states have seen frequent clashes.
 Hot spots for cartel activity in Coahuila are the northern parts of the
state, in the cities of Ciudad Acuña and Piedras Negras. However,
that it shares a frontier with Chihuahua means Coahuila has seen
some spillover violence. The city of Torreón, near its south-western
border with the state of Durango, has emerged as one of the most
violent in the state with rampant corruption among the security
forces.
RISK ZONES Drug’s war near North Borders of Mexico

27. ColombiaRISK ZONES Cali, remote rural areas: HIGH
A violent city with high crime rates; most crime occurs in the
poorer neighborhoods bordering the Río Cali.
Remote rural areas
Travel in the rural areas of Colombia is considered dangerous
and it is advisable to avoid venturing out of the major cities.
Travel between major cities should be by air exclusively. The risk
of kidnap is highest in rural areas, and travelers should avoid
overland travel between the major cities, especially at night.
Unless they have an overriding, business-critical reason,
personnel should not consider travel to areas of high guerrilla
activity, including south-west Antioquia department, most of
Arauca department and rural areas of Caquetá, Huila,
Nariño and Putumayo departments. Guerrilla units are mostly
active in rural areas, where they frequently carry out attacks on
the security forces and on key infrastructure.
The security situation has improved in recent years, although
there remains a risk of kidnapping and terrorism in many parts of
the country, particularly rural areas. There is also the threat of
land mines; almost 400 people have been killed by land mines
this year. Organized crime and drug trafficking remain serious
problems and areas of large-scale coca production should be
avoided.

28. VenezuelaRISK ZONES Caracas: HIGH
• Caracas is plagued by petty and violent crime,
including kidnappings. Foreign travelers have
increasingly been robbed and/or assaulted by
criminals in and around crowded bus and subway
stations in downtown Caracas and other busy
areas of the city. Subway escalators are a
common site for robberies. Crime is especially
high in the city's barrios (slums), which travelers
should avoid. At Simón Bolívar International
Airport, foreign travelers have been robbed in
parking lots or while waiting in check-in and taxi
queues. Traveler's should exercise caution during
their stay in Caracas.
• Colombian border areas: HIGH
• Terrorist groups and drug cartel gangs are known
to operate in the border area. Kidnap-for-ransom
is a serious concern in the border region with
Colombia.

29.  Caracas in Latin America is by far the most
dangerous place in the world. If you searched
dangerous places on the internet, you would find at
least 20 South American countries on the list. With
drug cartels, and poverty, Caracas, the capital of
Venezuela, ranks the highest for murder and crime
in the world. Per 100,000 people this city has the
highest rate of murders, kidnappings, and rapes in
2009. 130 murders and 537 reported kidnappings.
They have nicknamed the city the “murder capital
of the world”. Not to mention Venezuela is the world
leader in drug trafficking mainly cocaine. The
country has increased its poverty level since the
1970's 300%. In In the last 5 yrs. Caracas has
topped the list for homicides by population.

30.  Special Warning about The Passport Fraud

31.  Passport fraud is attempted by Brazilian citizens and non-citizens for a
variety of criminal purposes – money laundering, narcotics trafficking, illegal
entry into the other countries, terrorism, etc. In processing lost/stolen
passport cases, the Federal Police Department from Brazil must take special
precautions that may delay the issuance of a new, full validity passport. If
you suspect a Brazilian passport is being used fraudulently, do not hesitate
to contact the nearest Brazilian Federal Police or Brazilian embassy or
consulate or once outside country, the nearest Passport Agency.

32.  The frequency of attacks on individuals using automatic cashier
machines (ATMs) and attacks on the machines themselves
continues to be as acceptable level as major city statistics. Avoid be
using ATM during night and in empty places.
 In light of these attacks, State Military Police authorities have
released security guidance for using ATMs, including not using the
ATM if it appears damaged or if the screen is blank, reporting the
ATM if suspicious items are protruding from the machine and not
continuing the use of the ATM if the initial transaction fails to
process correctly.
 Individuals should also take other basic security precautions when
using ATMs, including not using machines in poorly lit or isolated
areas and standing close to the machine to block the PIN code
from being seen by criminals.

33.  Be always with your eyes in your Credit Card when
it will accomplish payments of products and
services, in stores, restaurants, gas stations and
hotels and see how and where the Card is used.
The “electronic/magnetic fraudulent copy” of Credit
Cards has been a phenomenon in growth in the
whole world and a lot of times, a better attention on
the part of the owner of the card, are enough to
avoid future problems. Please, we recommend to
you always preventive attitude with your card.

34.  Special Warning about Drug Offenses Abroad

35.  Every year, several hundred foreigners are
arrested abroad on drug charges. Persons
caught with illegal drugs in a foreign country are
subject to the drug laws of that country, not those
of the Brazil; as always, ignorance of the law is
no excuse. In many countries, the burden of
proof is on the accused to show that he or she is
innocent of the charges.
 Some foreigners take advantage of an offer of an
all-expenses-paid vacation abroad in exchange
for carrying a small package in the
luggage. When, to their surprise, they are
caught, the fact that they did not know that there
were drugs in that package will not reduce the
charges against them.
 Every aspect of a drug arrest abroad can be
different from your country practice. For
instance: see next slide.

36.  Few countries provide a jury trial;
 Many countries do not permit pre-trial release on bail;
 Pre-trial detention, often in solitary confinement, can
last several months;
 Prisons may lack even minimal comforts, such as
beds, toilets, and washbasins;
 Diets are often inadequate and require supplements
from relatives and friends;
 Officials may not speak English;
 Physical abuse, confiscation of property, degrading
treatment and extortion are possible;
 Persons convicted may face sentences ranging from
fines and jail time, to years of hard labor, and even
the death penalty;
 Penalties for drug possession and for drug trafficking
are often the same abroad, so possession of one
ounce of marijuana could result in years in a foreign
jail;
 As with any arrest of a foreigner citizen abroad,
consular officers perform a variety of services.

37.  Special Warning about Young Person Risk
Murder Abroad

38.  Latin America has the highest murder rates in the world for people
aged between 15 and 24, according to a study by a Brazilian
research group.
 Using data from 83 countries, the study indicates that the probability of a
young person being murdered in Latin America is 30 times higher than in
Europe.
 The grimmest figures are for El Salvador, where the murder rate among
young people is 92 per 100,000 people. A key factor there is the presence
of violent youth gangs.
 The Brasilia-based group compared murder rates for 2007 in 83
countries, both for the overall population and for the 15-to-24 age bracket.
 "The probability of a young Latin American being a murder victim is 30
times higher than for a European, and more than 70 times greater than
for young people in countries like Greece, Hungary, England, Austria... or
Ireland," the studies said.

39.  The comparative study found that the murder rate for young people was
36.6 for every 100,000 people in Latin America while in Africa it was
16.1, North America 12, Asia 2.4, Oceania 1.6 and Europe 1.2,
although there are variations within a particular region.
 The report also indicates the top four countries for youth murder rates
also headed the overall murder rate table: El Salvador (total murders
per 100,000 - 48.8), Colombia (43.8), Venezuela (29.5) and Guatemala
(28.5).
 Brazil occupies fifth place for youth murders and sixth for the overall
murder rate at 25.2.
 The lowest youth murder rates in Latin America were in Chile, Cuba
and Uruguay, all with around seven killings per 100,000.
 The report notes that as well as El Salvador, Nicaragua and Guatemala
have also seen what it calls "drastic" increases in murder rates.
 Part of this is due to the presence of youth gangs, known as maras ,
which are prevalent in Central America.
 The study says the region also has a long history of armed internal and

40.  Ten Points Foreigners Travelers should adhere to
when exploring the globe

41.  There is a popular myth that traveling abroad is safer than being in
your country. This is simply false. Although violent crime is clearly
prevalent, we believe that most of the “seven more rich countries on
the entire world” has one of the lowest violent crime rates in the
world. Each country, region, and city abroad has its areas and ways
that are more safe or less safe than the part of the rich country
where you live or come from.
 While crime can be a reality in every country, in many parts of the
developing world, travel overseas introduces to you to new types of
risk. As a rule, people are more likely to be targeted by criminals
when they are in unfamiliar surroundings and unskilled at
interpreting events around them. For foreigners with limited
international travel experience, many parts of the world represent
just this kind of environment. Exacerbating the incidence of crime
against travelers is the poverty in many countries that fuels robbery
and theft.

42. • Don't be an obvious
foreigner.
• Leave jewelry at home.
• Keep copies of your
passport and hide the
original.
• Listen to your gut.
• Learn where your embassy
or consulate offices are
located.
 Read local English-language
newspapers, if possible.
 Avoid unexpectedly
amorous men and women.
 Become aware of real
security threats.
 Avoid known hotspots.
 Control the things you can
control and don't panic.

43.  Don't be an obvious foreigner.
 In many parts of the developing world, you'll stand out no matter what you do, but
make an effort to blend in as much as you can and respect local norms. The
standard advice applies: T-shirts with corporate logos or flashy clothes are better
left at home. Loud or boisterous behavior also advertises your presence in a
negative way. Be a careful observer before you jump into the game.

44.  Leave jewelry at home
 Robert Young Pelton, author of The World’s Most Dangerous Places, captures
perceptions of Westerners in the developing world this way: “as obvious as a
naked man with hundred-dollar bills taped to his body.” Wear local,
inexpensive jewelry if you must look beautiful.

45.  Keep copies of your passport and hide the
original.
 Carry three copies of your passport; keep two in separate areas of your
baggage, and carry one on your body. Put the original in the safest place you
can find, which will depend upon your living and traveling arrangements.
Passports are the hottest commodities in the world, and yours is game for a
clever pickpocket.

46.  Listen to your gut
 Never ignore your sixth sense. When you get alarmed or spooked, there is
probably a good reason for it. Stop and calmly think for a few seconds:
observe and assess the situation around you and decide what your options
are for getting to a safer place. Then make a decision and act.

47.  Learn where your embassy or consulate offices are located
 It’s always a good idea to check in with your country’s embassy when
you’re staying in a foreign country, particularly one with a less-
developed communications system. As soon as you arrive, look at a
map and orient yourself so you can find your country’s consular offices.
Learn two or three different routes for getting there, as well as the best
transportation methods, and stop by! Ask to speak to the Regional
Security Officer and get a crime fact sheet for the area. They are there
to help.

48.  Read local English-language newspapers, if possible
 Local citizens and expatriates who write these papers can be some of
the best sources of information about the local scene (although be
aware that in some countries, the media are under government
control—find out before you depart on your trip).

49.  Avoid unexpectedly amorous men and women
 Attractive as you may be, be wary of people who approach and try to
woo you the moment you arrive. Most of the time the real motive is
gaining a foreign passport or your wallet, or taking you to a gift shop
where you’ll be pressured to buy. As one saying goes, you’re perceived
as the cash cow, and everyone wants a little milk. Listen to what your
mother told you when you were 15—it still applies.

50.  Become aware of real security threats
 Before you ever set foot out of your home, you should do some research.
 What is the political climate in the country you’ll be visiting?
 Have there been recent demonstrations against the government?
 Might there be groups who have expressed strong anti-your nationality sentiment due to
political or economic developments?
 Most countries have some type of English-language media outlets on the Internet that
publish local news; wire services such as AP and Reuters often cover such developments
(check their archives); and political & security risk consulting companies often publish some
of their assessments online for free. Check them out.
 The point is not to engender fear or find reasons not to go on your
adventure. It is simply better to enter a foreign country with your eyes open.

51.  Become aware of real security threats
 For example, Americans traveling to Iran will probably experience magnificent
hospitality from Iranians, but sudden turns in political events might increase tensions
(also for Iranians, of course—not just tourists) and make travel less pleasant.
 Be aware and be prepared. In some places it might take keen eyes and ears to detect
rumblings of civil unrest that can increase dangers to foreign visitors; in other cases
the signs are clear and simply need to be heeded.
 Not only will a heightened awareness of the political environment shorten your
response time to potential warning signs, but gaining an education in local or national
politics will demonstrate to those you meet that you have a greater depth of interest in
your host country than sampling the local pastries.

52.  Avoid known hotspots
 This, of course, follows directly from #3: countries and regions that have
experienced severe levels of conflict and violence are probably best left off your
travel-abroad itinerary for the immediate future.
 Places that the any Government State advises against travel by foreigners
citizens and places that your company doesn’t consider safe or to have
appropriate support services—these are places that should have dropped off your
travel radar in recent years.
 Use the advice from your local security experts, other friends living abroad and
travel safety experts. Consider the level of risk you are assuming. Others may
have reported no problems during travel to the same location, but you want to
avoid relying on luck to ensure your safety.

53.  Control the things you can control and don't panic
 Choose a place to go and a program provider that can provide you with
comprehensive support services abroad. Before you go abroad, learn about the
country and in particular the health and safety support mechanisms.
 Take with you, soon as possible, an emergency card with a list of contact
information for a 24 Hour Contact, Health/Insurance/Security Assistant & Support.
 Try to learn about the destination local Medical Care Facility, local Police
Department, local Country Embassy or Consulate and try to obtain contact
information.
 Also, bring a list of help statements translated into the local language.

54.  Control the things you can control and don't panic
 Don’t take unnecessary risks: This includes limiting unsafe activities like bungee
jumping, river rafting, and mountain climbing. Don’t get intoxicated by using
alcohol or drugs that will limit your control over yourself and your interactions with
others.
 Once you plan to go out for an adventure, try to have others travel or explore with
you so that if something happens to you, they can assist to avoid or respond to an
emergency.
 Do not forget your emergency numbers.

55. Insurance Company?
Travel Company?
Family Member?
Embassy?
Consulate ?
Industry friends?
Names?
Area Code?
Checklist on paper?
Address?
Where to put those contacts ?
Update?

56.  Register in your country destination Consulate soon as
possible. They can better assist you in an emergency.
 Sign passport, and fill in the emergency information.
 Leave copies of itinerary and passport data page.
 Check your overseas medical insurance coverage.
 Familiarize yourself with local conditions and laws.
 Take precautions to avoid being a target of crime.
 Once traveling inside any country, have with you, all the
times, your emergency phone contacts. Facing an
emergency situation call your best Security Advisor or call
directly your Insurance Company headquarters.

57.  Things happen in the world, some good and
some bad. While your travels overseas are likely
to create some of the most valuable and positive
experiences of your life, maintain a common-
sense expectation that things may not always go
as planned, and react as calmly as possible if
they do not.
 In a crisis situation, panicking only leads to more
confusion and potentially poor decisions. Think
carefully and watch cautiously everything
around you.

58. Thiago L. Bergo Pinto
Brazil and South America Security Specialist
Regional Security Manager, Central & South America
Thiago.bergo@gmail.com