Security Alert: U.S. Embassy Praia, Cabo Verde (November 28, 2023)
The U.S. Embassy in Cabo Verde notifies U.S. citizens that the Government of Cabo Verde has declared “Alert Level 3” regarding recent seismic activity that began October 30 in the vicinity of Brava island. (Note: Alert Level 5 is the highest level of concern.) Cabo Verde’s National Civil Protection Service is revising 2016 contingency and evacuation plans with UN support, should the situation worsen.
U.S. Embassy staff have been instructed to defer all non-essential official travel to the islands of Brava and Fogo for the next two weeks, while the situation is being assessed.
The Embassy encourages U.S. citizens to carefully consider travel to Brava and Fogo during this heightened alert. If you travel to one of these islands, familiarize yourself with evacuation plans, monitor news outlets, use good judgment, and take all appropriate safety measures as volcanic conditions can change rapidly. U.S. citizens planning to fly to or from Fogo should have a plan in the event of flight cancellations. U.S. citizens residing on the island of Brava should keep extra food, water, and safety equipment, such as N-95 masks, at home.
The U.S. Embassy strongly encourages all American citizens to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
For updates regarding the situation in Brava, please consult:
· Government of Cabo Verde official website
· Cabo Verde National Civil Protection Service Facebook page
Additional information for U.S. citizens:
· See the State Department’s travel websitefor the Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Cabo Verde Country Specific Information.
· The U.S. Embassy is located in Praia at Rua Abilio Macedo 6; telephone: +238 260-8900; website: https://cv.usembassy.gov/. Non-emergency American Citizens Services can be scheduled via the online appointment system. The after-hours telephone number for use in emergencies is +238 991-3325. The Consular Section’s e-mail address is PraiaConsular@state.gov.
· Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
· Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
