Haiti gov't protests travel warnings by US, Canada

The U.S. State Department last week strengthened a travel advisory on Haiti. It warned Americans planning to visit the Caribbean nation about kidnappings, robbery, lawlessness and cholera, noting that at least two U.S. citizens were shot and killed in robbery and kidnapping incidents.

Canada followed with a similar statement.

Complaining that the warnings only hurt Haiti's image, government spokesman Calvin Cadet wrote that the advisories were incompatible with improvements that authorities have made in security. He noted Haiti has promised to hire more officers for its national police force.

His statement also noted the recent dismantling of an alleged kidnapping ring. Police in October arrested Clifford Brandt, the owner of a car dealership and son of a prominent family, on kidnapping charges.