More news on this day
A blunt line appearing across a growing number of U.S. travel advisories has caught travelers’ attention: “Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.” The guidance, repeated in recent country-by-country updates, reflects concerns about opportunistic theft and violent crime affecting Americans in popular destinations, and it underscores how quickly routine travel can turn dangerous when victims fight back.
Get the latest news straight to your inbox!
Where the warning is showing up now
The phrase is not limited to one region. Publicly available U.S. State Department travel advisories updated in recent weeks and months include the same instruction for a range of destinations, from the Caribbean to Central and South America and parts of Africa.
For example, the State Department’s travel advisory for Panama, updated within the past month, includes the directive “Do not physically resist any robbery attempt,” alongside notes about areas where police presence and emergency response can be extremely limited, including parts near the Colombian border. The same advisory also emphasizes planning and situational awareness for travelers who decide to go.
Similar language appears in advisories for Jamaica and The Bahamas, both major tourism markets for Americans. Jamaica’s advisory repeats the “do not physically resist” message within broader guidance about avoiding risky situations such as walking or driving at night, while The Bahamas advisory pairs it with hotel-room security reminders and warnings about violent crime that can occur beyond resort settings.
Why “don’t resist” is the core message
Travel medicine and safety guidance has long stressed de-escalation during confrontations. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Yellow Book, a key reference used by clinicians and travelers, advises that if confronted in a robbery, travelers should give up valuables and not resist because resistance can escalate to violence and result in serious injury or death.
That logic is echoed in State Department advisories that discuss how fast a theft can become a violent encounter, particularly where criminals use weapons, operate in groups, or target victims at choke points such as intersections, transit hubs, nightlife districts, and beaches after dark.
Brazil’s travel advisory, for instance, includes the “do not physically resist” instruction in a section that also describes robbery and assault risks and notes that U.S. government employees are advised not to use municipal buses due to robbery and assault concerns, particularly at night. The advisory also highlights tactics reported in urban robberies, including thefts by criminals on motorcycles targeting phones and bags and robberies tied to forced ATM withdrawals.
What travelers can do before a trip
One of the clearest patterns across U.S. government travel guidance is that preparation reduces exposure. State Department “Crime” guidance encourages travelers to book accommodations in advance, avoid advertising where they are staying, and research safety conditions so they do not arrive with no plan, a scenario that can increase vulnerability.
Many country advisories also point travelers toward the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), a free State Department service that sends alerts and helps U.S. embassies and consulates contact enrolled travelers in emergencies. Advisories for destinations including Panama, Jamaica, Brazil, and Nigeria explicitly recommend enrolling before travel.
For higher-risk destinations, advisories frequently emphasize contingency planning that does not depend on U.S. government rescue capabilities. Nigeria’s advisory, for example, includes “do not physically resist any robbery attempt” alongside reminders about evacuation planning, heightened vigilance around banks and ATMs, and maintaining a low profile.
How to reduce robbery risk on the ground
The same advisories that warn against resisting also give practical, repeatable steps aimed at reducing the odds of being targeted in the first place. Those include limiting night travel, staying alert in crowded areas, avoiding isolated routes, and keeping signs of wealth out of sight, such as expensive watches, jewelry, and high-end electronics.
Several advisories call out transit choices. Brazil’s advisory warns against municipal buses for U.S. government employees due to robbery and assault risk, an example of how transportation can become a vulnerability point for visitors who are unfamiliar with local routes or who stand out as tourists.
Drink safety is another recurring theme in State Department crime guidance, which notes that criminals sometimes drug drinks to facilitate robbery or assault. The guidance emphasizes keeping an eye on beverages, declining drinks from strangers, and seeking help quickly if unusual symptoms appear.
What to do after a robbery, and what help the US can offer
After an incident, U.S. guidance generally points travelers to report the crime locally and contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for assistance with issues such as replacing a stolen passport and navigating next steps. The CDC Yellow Book notes that consular support can help connect victims with resources, while also clarifying that U.S. officials do not conduct local criminal investigations.
For travelers who face broader instability overseas, the State Department’s crisis-response information emphasizes using local emergency services first and making independent departure plans when it is safe to do so. It also lists the State Department’s emergency phone numbers for U.S. citizens abroad and encourages STEP enrollment so travelers receive location-specific security updates.
The bottom line of the “do not physically resist” message is not to minimize crime, but to prioritize survival in a moment when a split-second decision can raise the risk of serious harm. For Americans heading overseas this season, reading the latest country advisory, planning transportation and lodging carefully, and rehearsing a simple response to street theft can be as important as any itinerary detail.