Heightened Security Risks and Demonstrations

In this week's Intelligence Summary involves a few varied topics. It is the professional opinion of this analyst that a protest demonstration while on foreign soil is one of the most dangerous situations a person abroad can find themselves in, short of waking up one morning and finding yourself as an unarmed foreigner in the middle of a capital city during a sudden and massive military coup de tat or a sudden major military campaign such as the 1968 Tet Offensive in Saigon. A protest is nearly that dangerous, or at least it is in the eyes of this analyst. This opinion is based on the common handling of protests and/or demonstrations in the Western Hemisphere, particularly in the United States, is quite different from how many foreign governments handle a similar situation. While any peaceful protest may turn violent in an instant due to high emotions and mob mentality, it is never outside the realm of possibility that a terrorist organization may target a demonstration and the thought of a massive response from the nation's military and security apparatus may result in a great many casualties. This analyst can not stress enough that if a person were to find themselves in the middle of a protest then the only reasonable and prudent choice would be to immediately vacate the area as rapidly as possible.

Currently, The US Department of State has advised against traveling to the Department of Gracias a Dios in Honduras due to frequent criminal activity. This includes both individual and gang related crimes including the trafficking of illicit narcotics, extortion, murder, and other violent crime. It is estimated by the US State Department that 70% of US Citizen murders within Honduras occurred within the areas surrounding San Pedro Sula, Tegucigalpa, and La Ceiba. Security services, including but not limited to police and military personnel, are few and far between in this area. This alert include the areas surrounding San Pedro Sula, Tegucigalpa, and La Ceiba. Currently, the aforementioned crime problem has resulted in US Government personnel being restricted from the Department of Gracias a Dios. This is a region where violent criminals tend to operate with near impunity and the resulting murder rate is one of the highest in the world. It is STRONGLY advised that any personnel in this area consider relocating immediately.

The Dutch Police have informed the US Government that the Cameroonian Dispora will be conducting demonstrations every Friday between 27 January and 26 May 2017 between the hours of 1300-1500 local time which consist of marching between Raad Van State and the United States Embassy in The Hague and back at the specified days and times. Due to the highly fluid nature of even the most peaceful of demonstrations, caution is strongly urged and customers are advised to evacuate any area where a demonstration is being, or is about to be, conducted.

Between 27 January and 3 February 2017, there are expected to be numerous planned and/or spontaneous protests in the Madrid area of Spain.  Again, due to the highly fluid nature of even the most peaceful of demonstrations, caution is strongly urged and customers are advised to evacuate any area where a demonstration is being, or is about to be, conducted.

-Prepared by: CASG Intelligence Analyst, 2220 EST 29JAN17