SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (NEWSnet/AP) — Authorities in the Bahamas say they are focusing on criminal activity after the U.S. Embassy issued a security alert noting a list of murders related to "retaliatory gang violence."
The number of reported killings since Jan. 1 rose to 19 over the weekend, with police holding a news conference on Sunday to talk about recent operations that led to the seizure of weapons, ammunition and drugs.
None of the killings have targeted any foreigners.
The U.S. Embassy in Nassau said that most of the crime has occurred on the islands of New Providence and Grand Bahama, with “retaliatory gang violence” behind most of the killings.
“Murders have occurred at all hours, including in broad daylight on the streets,” it said in a statement last week.
The steps that visitors are urged to take, according to the U.S. Embassy, include:
- Exercise extreme caution in the eastern part of New Providence Island (Nassau).
- Use caution when walking or driving at night.
- Keep a low profile.
U.S. officials also said the local population is the one primarily affected by the high homicide rate.
The number of homicides reported in the archipelago of roughly 400,000 people last year weren't immediately available, but killings increased by 8% from 2021 to 2022, with 128 slayings reported, up from 119, according to the Royal Bahamas Police Force.
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