Brazil - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution

in Brazil due to crime and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Violent crime occurs in urban areas, day and night.  Crimes include murder, armed robbery, and carjacking.  Gang activity and organized crime are widespread. and are often tied to the illegal drug trade.  Assaults are common, including with sedatives or drugs placed in drinks, especially in Rio de Janeiro.  Criminals target foreigners through dating apps or at bars before drugging and robbing their victims.  U.S. government employees working in Brazil need special authorization to travel to the following areas due to safety risks:  - Within 100 miles/160 km of Brazil’s land borders (except travel to the Foz do Iguacu and Pantanal), - informal housing developments in Brazil and, - the Administrative Regions of Ceilandia, Santa Maria, Sao Sebastiao, and Paranoa between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. U.S. government employees are advised not to use municipal buses in Brazil due to serious risks of robbery and assault, especially at night. Kidnapping for ransom involving U.S. citizens is rare but occasionally occurs. Brazilians are most often targeted, but f...