Cabo Verde 2017 Crime & Safety Report Overall Crime and Safety Situation U.S. Embassy Praia does not assume responsibility for the professional ability or integrity of the persons or firms appearing in this report. The ACS Unit cannot recommend a particular individual or location and assumes no responsibility for the quality of service provided. THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE HAS ASSESSED PRAIA AS BEING A CRITICAL- THREAT LOCATION FOR CRIME DIRECTED AT OR AFFECTING OFFICIAL U.S. GOVERNMENT INTERESTS. Please review OSAC’s Cabo Verde-specific webpage for proprietary analytic reports, Consular Messages, and contact information. Crime Threats The majority of crimes tends to be motivated by financial gain (pickpocketing, burglary, armed robbery) and is fueled in part by high unemployment and the growing drug trade throughout the islands. Many crimes are perpetrated by groups of youths who are immune from prosecution until they reach 16. Crime in Cabo Verde increased dramatically during 2016. While certain categories of crime (homicides) remained relatively stable from 2015 to 2016, other categories (muggings, armed robbery, burglary) increased significantly. Crimes involving victims (robberies, burglaries, break- ins) in Praia increased 208% from 2015 with 3,430 cases reported. Those same crimes with no victim present increased 183% from 2015 with 931 cases reported. Crimes are also becoming more violent. The use of firearms in crimes used to be rare. Although special permission is required in order to own/possess a firearm, use of firearms in crimes is increasing, and victims have been shot. An increasing availability and use of firearms in committing crimes is a concern. Three notable incidents highlight the challenges Cabo Verde faces with regards to increasing levels of violent crime. On April 25, 2016, Cabo Verde witnessed a shocking and tragic event at the Monte Tchota army barracks. The barracks housed a nine-man detachment assigned with protecting a hilltop communications hub. A rogue soldier killed all eight of his fellow soldiers while they slept. He also killed three technicians (two Spaniards, one Cabo Verdean), who showed up to the military facility. The rogue soldier gathered additional weapons and ammunition and fled in the technicians’ vehicle. After the discovery of the killings, an intense manhunt ensued. A joint effort between the military, the National Police, and the Judicial Police led to his capture. The soldier was tried, convicted, and sentenced to 35 years in prison. On June 28, 2016, two U.S. military ROTC cadets were attacked by three males. The attack occurred during the day, in a more affluent neighborhood in Praia, and less than 200 yards from several Embassy residences. Both cadets sustained numerous scrapes and bruises, and one of them required medical treatment for a stab wound. On November 8, 2016, a U.S. Embassy member was attacked, during the day, while on a walking path. The attacker was armed with a knife. The Embassy member avoided 1 injury, complied with the demand to surrender her cell phone, and the assailant fled. The attack occurred within 300 yards of several Embassy residences. Other Areas of Concern The Sucupira (outdoor market) and Fazenda areas are especially prone to pickpocketing, muggings, and purse snatchings. Both should be traversed with great care in daylight and avoided at night, especially if traveling alone. Similar precautions should be taken when visiting the areas surrounding the beach resorts on the island of Maio, Boa Vista, and Sal. The Embassy emphasizes the particular dangers of using hillside stairways connecting neighborhoods in Praia. These stairways, although offering convenient shortcuts through hilly terrain, make users isolated and vulnerable to assault, even in the day. The Embassy strongly advises against using them. Transportation-Safety Situation Road Safety and Road Conditions Roads in Praia are typically in good condition. A fair portion of the roads is paved with asphalt or cobblestones. Streets are narrow in downtown areas, and caution should be used while driving or crossing streets. Motorists are typically courteous, but caution should be exercised. Taxis, buses, and private vehicles stop in the middle of a road without warning. Traffic collisions pose a great risk to residents and visitors due to the delayed response time of emergency responders. Moreover, Praia has limited medical resources to treat traumatic injuries. Motorists should always wear seatbelts, be attentive, and drive defensively. In the outer areas, roads may not be as developed, so the ability to find aid is significantly diminished. Excessive speeds on narrow, curving roads outside Praia pose a great danger to motorists. Most of the national highways are in good repair; however, other routes are cobblestone or dirt and can be extremely dangerous during rain. In rural areas, livestock have free rein, making driving hazardous, especially at night when visibility is reduced. Collisions between motorists and livestock happen several times each year. Most roads are generally poorly illuminated at night. Even those with lights experience regular blackouts. Rainfall is potential hazard for motorists. During heavy rain, streets will often flood; fast moving water can sweep away vehicles, destroy sections of roads, and wash out bridges. Public Transportation Conditions Praia has three principal modes of public transport: taxi, bus, and commuter vans. Using buses and vans is strongly discouraged. The most common commuter van is a Toyota Hiace. These vans may have a fixed, but flexible route and try to operate at full capacity. Often, the drivers place more passengers into the van than is practical or safe. 2 Taxis are the recommended form of public transport. Licensed, registered taxis are clearly marked and tan/cream in color. While official taxis are considered safe and reliable, passengers should still exercise good common sense and avoid sharing a taxi with strangers. Aviation/Airport Conditions There are no specific safety concerns for the Nelson Mandela International airport in Praia. Inter-island flights are considered safe, but flight schedules can be unpredictable with frequent delays and even unannounced cancelations. Other Travel Conditions Several islands are connected by ferry service. Maritime transportation is considered safe, but the schedules can be unpredictable with delays and occasional cancellations. The seas can be rough, so travelers should be prepared for possible motion sickness. Terrorism Threat THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE HAS ASSESSED PRAIA AS BEING A LOW-THREAT LOCATION FOR TERRORIST ACTIVITY DIRECTED AT OR AFFECTING OFFICIAL U.S. GOVERNMENT INTERESTS. Local, Regional, and International Terrorism Threats/Concerns Given the proximity to continental West Africa, regional terrorism is a concern. There are no known indigenous terrorist or dissident groups in Cabo Verde. However, the islands’ nautical location, porous borders, and small coast guard with limited resources could place Cabo Verde at risk as a transit route by terrorists. There have been no recorded or reported international terrorist incidents in Cabo Verde; however, the police have monitored groups they believe to have connections/influence with non-friendly organizations. There is a concern that extremism may also be growing in the prison systems in Santiago and Sao Vicente islands. Political, Economic, Religious, and Ethnic Violence THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE HAS ASSESSED PRAIA AS BEING A LOW-THREAT LOCATION FOR POLITICAL VIOLENCE DIRECTED AT OR AFFECTING OFFICIAL U.S. GOVERNMENT INTERESTS. Cabo Verde has been a very stable democracy. The democratic system and processes are well-established and stable. Portuguese influence, legacy, and political/judicial framework are strong, and a stable system of government is in place. Political violence is virtually unknown. Civil Unrest Civil unrest and civil disorder are not common. There are occasional demonstrations that take place as a result of economic issues, but all have been peaceful. In 2015, there was a slight increase in strikes and work stoppages, largely because of high unemployment numbers, but they remain infrequent. 3 Post-specific Concerns Environmental Hazards Natural disasters are of some concern. Flooding from heavy rains tends to cause the majority of problems that can adversely affect roads and some low-lying coastal areas. A volcano on the island of Fogo erupted in 1995 and on November 23, 2014, but it had little impact on Embassy operations/personnel. Due to the ash cloud, air traffic was diverted for international flights for two weeks. In August 2016, the island of Brava experienced low-intensity tremors, causing no injuries/damage. Out of precaution, the government of Cabo Verde evacuated about 300 residents deemed to be in potential danger if the tremors continued or intensified. Critical Infrastructure There is some question regarding the government’s ability to react to large-scale natural disaster. The transportation of emergency responders during the November 2014 volcano eruption proved challenging. Request for assistance was made to foreign countries for aid and support, including air/sea support that was provided by the Portuguese. Similar concerns were raised during Hurricane Fred, which hit Cabo Verde in August 2015 and whose after-effects proved to be difficult for the government to respond to in the northern islands. As a result, managing or responding to disasters is inadequate. While there is a coast guard,