State Department issues travel advisory for Caribbean hotspot over safety concerns.

The US State Department has issued a yellow flag-level two travel advisory for Americans traveling to the Dominican Republic due to an increase in violent crime and sexual assaults. The advisory urges travelers to exercise increased caution and avoid displaying signs of wealth. While resorts tend to be safer, the department warns that violent crime is a concern throughout the country due to the wide availability of weapons, illicit drugs, and a weak criminal justice system. The Dominican Republic shares the same threat level alert as other top tourist destinations like France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the U.K., and the Bahamas.