GP News Caribbean Travel & Security Advisory

///GP NEWS TRAVEL ADVISORY///

Issued: January 2026

Audience: U.S. Citizens, with focused guidance for Black American travelers

Regional Context: Escalating military confrontation involving Venezuela

Last Reviewed: January 2026 (Updates issued as conditions evolve)

TRAVEL DECISION QUICK CHECK (READ THIS FIRST)

Most travel risks currently stem from disruption, not direct danger. If this table gives you pause, listen to it.

If you are…	Recommendation
Flying direct to Northern Caribbean	Proceed with normal precautions
Connecting through Southern Caribbean hubs	Build buffer days
Cruising with multiple ports	Expect itinerary changes
Traveling with kids or elders	Avoid Level 2 zones
Carrying activist or political content	Increase caution
Relying on tight PTO windows	Reconsider travel
Carrying activist, political, or protest-related content	Increase caution
Relying on last-minute connections	Delay travel

GP News Real Talk: Most travel problems right now aren’t about danger—they’re about disruption. Disruption ruins vacations faster than fear ever could.

Overview

The Caribbean remains largely safe for tourism. No Caribbean nation outside Venezuela is an active conflict zone. However, regional systems are under stress due to the escalating military confrontation involving Venezuela.

This stress shows up as:

• Airspace closures and rerouting

• Heightened surveillance and questioning

• Fuel and power vulnerabilities

• Delays that compound quickly

For Black Americans, these disruptions may intersect with profiling, additional screening, and assumptions tied to race, language, or appearance.

This advisory is designed to help travelers make informed decisions—not panic-driven ones.

What This Advisory Is — And Is Not

This advisory is NOT saying:

• The Caribbean is unsafe

• Black travelers are unwelcome

• War is spreading across the islands

This advisory IS saying:

• Regional logistics are strained

• Delays and scrutiny increase during instability

• Bias tends to surface more during geopolitical stress

GP News Bottom Line: The beach is calm. The systems behind the beach are not.

Tiered Regional Risk Assessment

LEVEL 1: EXERCISE NORMAL PRECAUTIONS

Northern & Eastern Caribbean

Includes:

• Bahamas

• Jamaica

• Dominican Republic

• Puerto Rico (U.S. Territory)

• U.S. Virgin Islands

• Barbados

• Turks and Caicos

Security Conditions:

• No direct military threat

• Stable internal security

• Tourism operating normally

Travel Impacts:

• Minor flight delays

• Occasional rerouting

Real-World Scenario: You fly ATL → Montego Bay direct. Your flight lands late due to rerouting. Customs is routine. Vacation proceeds as planned.

GP News Real Talk: Still safe—but still smart to build margin.

Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution

Southern Caribbean (Logistics Friction Band)

Includes:

• Aruba

• Curaçao

• Bonaire

• Trinidad and Tobago

• Grenada

Security Conditions:

• No active fighting

• Increased military and surveillance presence nearby

Travel Impacts:

• Sudden airspace closures

• Cruise port changes

• Fuel price volatility

• Power or communication disruptions

Real-World Scenario: You fly ATL → Miami → Curaçao. Airspace rerouting causes a missed connection. You are rebooked 24 hours later. Customs conducts extended questioning. You’re safe—but stressed, tired, and burning PTO.

GP News Real Talk:Nothing “bad” happened—but the trip stopped feeling like rest.

Level 3: Reconsider Travel

Venezuela & Adjacent Maritime Zones

Security Conditions:

• Active military confrontation

• Arbitrary detention risk

• No reliable U.S. consular assistance

Travel Impacts:

• Airspace closures with no notice

• Maritime restrictions

• Evacuation may not be possible

GP News Real Talk:This is not a vacation decision. It’s a risk acceptance decision. Choose accordingly.

Air, Sea, & Logistical Disruptions (Expect These)

Travelers should prepare for:

• ✈️ Flight rerouting and cancellations

• 🚢 Cruise itinerary changes or skipped ports

• ⛽ Fuel shortages or price spikes

• ⚡ Power outages on fuel-dependent islands

• 🏥 Limited medical surge capacity

• 📶 Temporary communication outages

Preparation matters more than optimism.

Your U.S. Passport: Protections — And Limits

“YOUR U.S. PASSPORT IS NOT A SHIELD”

What it DOES:

• Confirms citizenship

• Enables consular assistance when available

What it DOES NOT:

• Override local law

• Prevent detention for questioning

• Guarantee immediate extraction

• Eliminate profiling or bias

For Black Americans:

• Secondary screening may increase

• Questions about origin, language, or purpose are common

• Afro-Latino travelers may be mistaken for Venezuelan migrants

GP News Real Talk: A passport is paperwork—not armor. Black Americans are often told “you’re protected.”This tells the truth—you’re protected on paper, not always in practice.

Surveillance & Screening Environment

During regional instability:

• Expanded questioning is normal

• Electronic devices may be inspected

• Political or activist content may draw attention

Recommendation:Know your rights. Don’t argue them at customs. Calm compliance gets you through faster than principle speeches ever will.

Black Diaspora Considerations

• Cultural proximity ≠ immunity

• Migration tensions are real in some areas

• Political discussions about Venezuela should be avoided publicly

GP News Real Talk: We don’t always get read as tourists first. Preparation is how we travel freely.

Who Should Reconsider Travel Right Now

You should seriously rethink travel if you:

• Cannot absorb unexpected delays

• Are traveling without insurance

• Carry political or protest materials

• Are unfamiliar with international travel norms

• Are emotionally exhausted and need certainty

There is no shame in postponing rest until conditions stabilize.

Preparedness & Call To Action

✔ Register travel plans (STEP or equivalent)

✔ Purchase geopolitical disruption insurance

✔ Book flexible tickets and lodging

✔ Carry emergency funds and backup documents

✔ Monitor airline and cruise alerts

✔ Stay informed—not alarmed

“We don’t get the luxury of being confused for tourists everywhere. Preparation is how we travel freely.” - GP News

Final Assessment

The Caribbean is open.

But it is operating under strain.

For Black Americans, safe travel today requires situational awareness, flexibility, and realism about how race and geopolitics intersect at borders.

GP News Final Word: Geopolitics doesn’t stop at customs. It just shows up differently for some of us. Travel is still possible—but only for those who understand the moment they’re moving through.