One Southeast Asian country is the subject of a renewed travel advisory from the U.S. government.
The U.S. State Department said on Wednesday, April 30, that Indonesia has been classified with a Level 2 Travel Advisory of “Exercise Increased Caution.” The advisory cites the increased risk of “terrorism and natural disasters.”
However, certain areas in Indonesia were labeled with the highest travel advisory level, at a Level 4 Advisory of “Do Not Travel.” It is advised to avoid Central Papua and Highland Papua, and specifically Jayawijaya, which is in Highland Papua, and Nabire, Timika and Mimika, which are in Central Papua.
“In Central Papua and Highland Papua, violent demonstrations and conflict could result in injury or death to U.S. citizens,” the State Department website said. “Avoid demonstrations and crowds. Armed separatists may kidnap foreign nationals.”
Beginning in February 2025, students across Indonesia started to protest in opposition to President Prabowo Subianto’s policies, per Reuters.
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Travelers were also warned that the U.S. government has “limited ability” to aid citizens in the case of emergencies because government officials must secure special visas before visiting the aforementioned areas.
“Due to the risks, the U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Central Papua and Highland Papua because U.S. government employees working in Indonesia must obtain special authorization before traveling to those areas,” the State Department website said.
Additionally, the day before the travel advisory for Indonesia was issued, the State Department announced that Indonesia’s neighbor, Papua New Guinea, received a Level 3 advisory of “Reconsider Travel.”
Papua New Guinea borders Indonesia to the east. Travelers are advised to reconsider travel “due to crime, civil unrest, and piracy,” per the State Department. “Exercise increased caution due to kidnapping, unexploded ordnance, inconsistent availability of healthcare services, and potential for natural disasters.”
Also, areas near the Panguna Mine on the island of Bougainville and the Highlands Region (except Mt. Hagen and Goroka) have Level 4 warnings of “Do Not Travel.” Both advisories are due to civil unrest.
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