WASHINGTON (AP) -- The State Department is warning U.S. citizens to avoid traveling to Haiti because of violence related to the upcoming presidential election on the impoverished Caribbean nation.
In an advisory issued Friday, the agency authorized the departure of family members of U.S. government workers stationed in Haiti and warned Americans to maintain contact with the U.S. Embassy.
The department said the security situation in Haiti has deteriorated with the approach of the Nov. 26 election and the Feb. 7 presidential inauguration.
"Both of these events have the potential to spark violent demonstrations and individual acts of violence. The dialogue of some candidates and government officials has been distinctly anti-American and the Haitian government has failed to contain or condemn certain violent and dangerous incidents," the State Department said.
