The U.S. State Department has issued a travel warning for Americans living in or traveling to Haiti, citing numerous hazards, including murder, robbery and infectious disease, mainly in the Port-au-Prince area.
The advisory issued Friday said "no one is safe from kidnapping, regardless of occupation, nationality, race, gender, or age."
The warning said recent travelers have been attacked and robbed shortly after leaving the Port-au-Prince airport.
At least two U.S. citizens were shot and killed in robbery and kidnapping incidents this year.
The warning said Haitian authorities have "limited capacity" to deter or investigate violent acts, or prosecute assailants.
The advisory says cholera persists in many areas of the country.
The warning encouraged visitors to Haiti to purchase evacuation insurance because some travelers to Haiti who have been injured in accidents or have other serious health concerns have not been able to find medical care in Haiti. They end up having to pay for medical evacuation to the U.S.
The advisory described ambulance services in Haiti as "particularly weak."