U.S. updates Nepal travel warning
From CNN State Department Producer Elise Labott
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Rebel tactics in Nepal are making it increasingly unsafe.
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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The State Department updated its travel warning for Nepal, citing increased threats to U.S. citizens in the country.
The advisory warns of increased violence from Maoist rebels and an increased anti-American sentiment among rebel leaders over the past few months, "raising security concerns for all U.S. citizens living in or visiting Nepal."
In October the State Department designated the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) as a terrorist organization under a presidential executive order, freezing the group's assets in the United States and prohibiting financial support of the Maoists by U.S. citizens.
"There have been increased reports of threats, intimidation, robbery and extortion by rebels against foreigners, including U.S. citizens, on popular trekking routes. U.S. citizens and U.S. affiliated interests have also been targeted specifically for threats and extortion," the advisory said."
Several businesses identified with the U.S. have been physically attacked.
U.S. citizens should be aware that interrupted telephone services to some trekking areas caused by rebel destruction of communications infrastructure could make it difficult to locate travelers or to arrange medical evacuations should emergencies occur.
Last month a U.S. government-affiliated training program in Butwal was terminated early and moved to Kathmandu because of rebels' threats, the warning said.
"Rebel tactics include attacks on Nepalese government facilities and commercial transport vehicles, indiscriminate bombings using improvised explosive devices, assassination attempts against Nepalese officials, and calls for localized or nationwide strikes (bandhs)," the warning said.
"The random, unpredictable nature of such actions creates risks of U.S. citizens being in the wrong place at the wrong time during a violent incident."
