The US State Department issued an updated travel advisory for Italy on Thursday (September 10), raising the alert level to “Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution”.
The travel advisory stated that there is a risk of terrorist violence in Italy, including terrorist attacks. While the terrorism threat in Italy may not receive as much attention as in other parts of Europe, Italian authorities have arrested several individuals in recent months with terrorist ties.
In August, Italian news agency ANSA reported that a 16-year-old boy in northern Italy was arrested on suspicion of crimes related to international terrorism. Investigators claimed he had spread jihadist ideologies and supported ISIS online.
Another incident in June near Bologna saw the arrest of a 16-year-old boy, with authorities reportedly finding jihadist propaganda materials and instructions for making weapons in his possession.
The State Department’s announcement also highlights that petty crimes are a concern in Italy, especially at popular tourist sites and public transport, including trains.
The announcement advised American citizens planning to travel to Italy to stay informed about the local news and to remain vigilant at tourist sites.
It emphasized the importance of being aware of one’s surroundings, as crimes against foreigners are often opportunistic, such as pickpocketing, purse-snatching, and car break-ins.
Travelers were further urged to always be mindful of their surroundings and prepare contingency plans.
Italy is one of the popular travel destinations where the US State Department recently updated its travel guidelines. The country attracts millions of tourists annually with its beaches, picturesque villages, and iconic ancient Roman ruins.
This month, the US State Department also updated its travel warning for Peru, cautioning American citizens about crime, civil unrest, kidnappings, and terrorism.
Travel warnings for Brazil have also been recently updated. State Department officials warned US citizens to be mindful of crimes and kidnappings, including armed robberies, carjacking, and criminals drugging victims before robbing them.
(This article references reporting from FOX NEWS)