1. Bogota, Colombia
While
security in Colombia has improved significantly in recent years,
violence by narco-terrorist groups continues to affect some rural areas
as well as the capital city, Bogota. In August 2010, a car bomb exploded
outside the Caracol radio station in Bogota and in October, Colombian
authorities claimed that they had foiled another car bomb attack
directed at the National Administrative Center in Bogota. Some criminal
organizations continue to kidnap and hold civilians for ransom or as
political bargaining chips. The fact that Colombia has one of the
highest violent crime rates in the world is quite enough for
understanding how dangerous Bogota is.
2. Ciudad Juárez, Mexico
Ciudad
Juárez is one of the world’s fastest growing cities in spite of the
fact that it has been called “the most violent zone in the world outside
of declared war zones.” Unfortunately, it seems that crime is growing
along with the city. There were around 1,400 murders in the city in 2008
and over 2,500 drug-related deaths over the same period in 2010. Public
life is almost paralyzed out of fear of being hit by a stray bullet or
kidnapped. Over the past 10 years Ciudad Juárez has seen more than 400
women fall victims to sexual homicides.
3. St. Louis, Missouri
According
to a latest study analyzing cities based on their FBI statistics for
murder, rape, robbery, and assault, St. Louis top the list of the most
dangerous city in America, beating Camden, Detroit and New Orleans, last
year’s most dangerous cities. After first being pronaunced ‘America’s
Most Dangerous City’ in 2006 and coming in second place in 2009, St.
Louis has once again reached the top. St. Louis had 2,070.1 violent
crimes per 100,000 residents, compared with a national average of 429.4.
Overall, east St. Louis city is the area of nearly 65% of the crime.
4. Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Despite
the governmental changes that occurred in 2004, Port-au-Prince, the
capital and largest city of Haiti, still regularly sees violent
outbreaks and demonstrations. There is no real police force that keeps
the violence under control in the city and the entire country and many
towns in Haiti are literally controlled by criminals. Furthermore, while
a U.N. force has provided assistance to police in the country since
2004, their presence does not guarantee absolute security for visitors
or residents. Haiti is among the four most important countries for drug
transit to the U.S. Kidnapping, murders, death threats, drug-related
shootouts, car-jacking, armed robberies and home break-ins are common in
Port-au-Prince.
5. Mogadishu, Somalia
In
August and September of 2010, terrorists launched a military offensive
attack against the Transitional Federal Government and African Union. In
August, a roadside bomb exploded and damaged three civilian minibuses
killing nine people and wounding 25, and in September, two suicide
bombers killed themselves in an attack on Mogadishu airport. Murder,
kidnapping, illegal roadblocks, banditry, and other violent incidents
and threats to American citizens and other foreigners can occur in
Mogadishu, as well as in any region of Somalia. Unpredictable armed
conflicts among rival militias are prevalent in and around the city.
Terrorist attacks, cross-border warring and brutal, violent street crime
wrack the country on a daily basis.
6. Caracas, Venezuela
In
our previously published article we have listed Caracas among the 10
most dangerous cities in the world in 2010. Well, it keeps its place on
the list in 2011. The murder rate in the capital of Venezuela is said to
be among the highest in the world, with much of that violence being
related to drug trafficking and resulting from the fact that the country
is located between the U.S. and Columbia. Armed robberies are common in
the city, even in areas presumed safe and visited by tourists. Express
kidnappings, in which victims are seized in an attempt to get quick cash
in exchange for their release, are a problem. Even worse, police
investigations into kidnappings have revealed that police officers are
often involved. Crime is even rampant at the airport, which itself is
said to be rife with corruption. And of course, pickpockets, hotel
thieves, scammers and grifters abound.
7. Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Crime
is a serious concern throughout Port Moresby, capital and largest city
of Papua New Guinea. If you decide to travel there, you are at a greater
risk of violent crimes such as rape and robbery. Also, carjackings,
stoning of vehicles, pickpockets, armed robberies are problems in and
around the city. Visiting unguarded public sites such as golf courses,
beaches, parks or cemeteries can be dangerous for visitors. Even public
transportation is dangerous, making car rental the safest way to get
around the country. Beside the criminal, Papua New Guinea is in an
active seismic zone: tsunamis, earthquakes and landslides can occur.
8. Grozny, Chechnya, Russia
In
2003 the UN called Grozny the ‘Most Destroyed City on Earth.’ The city
has undergone very destructive warfare since the 1990s, when the Russian
army demolished much of the city. Gangsters, mob and corruption create
problems for little remaining authority. Organized Crime is rampant.
Political and criminal murder, as well as rape rates, are very high and
kidnappings are a serious issue. Some destroyed buildings are being
rebuilt, but many continue to live without electricity or water. Many
Chechens have fled to places like Dagestan or Azerbaijan, as their
native country is not safe.
9. Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
If
you decide to travel to the Dominican Republic this year, you should
strongly consider leaving valuable property at home. Crime continues to
be a big problem throughout the Dominican Republic. While mugging and
pick pocketing are the most common crimes against tourists, reports of
violence against both locals and foreigners are growing and reports of
car theft have increased. Also, demonstrations, protests and general
strikes occur periodically. Although political demonstrations don’t
generally occur in areas frequented by tourists and are generally not
targeted at foreigners, it is advisable to exercise caution when
traveling throughout the country.
10. Muzaffarabad, Kashmir, Pakistan
Although
it is considered a “paradise on earth,” primarily known for its
captivating beauty serene lakes, dazzling rivers and splendid gardens,
Kashmir is thought by many academics to be the place where the next
nuclear holocaust will occur. The region is divided among 3 countries
(India, Pakistan and China) in a territorial dispute. These 3 countries
are Nuclear armed states, and the tension in Kashmir has resulted in
nuclear brinkmanship between Pakistan and India on several occasions.
Rallies, demonstrations, and processions occur regularly throughout
Pakistan on very short notice. Organised crime in Pakistan include drug
trafficking, forged Indian currency printing, extortion, murder for hire
and fraud. Furthermore, other criminal operations engage in human
trafficking, black marketeering, corruption, political violence,
abduction, terrorism etc.
