Travel Advisory : Rebel Flare-Up Unsettles Chiapas

Latin America

Mexico: After almost a year of relative quiet, the state of Chiapas flared up again as armed Indian rebels and their peasant supporters seized town halls and barricaded highways throughout the southeastern state. A day later, Times correspondent Mark Fineman reported that hundreds of Mexican troops were being dispatched to clear roads and retake territory. There were no reports of clashes. But as of press time Wednesday, the situation was clearly unsettled, and anyone considering travel in southeastern Mexico is advised to defer it until the area calms down.

Middle East

Israel, Jordan and the West Bank: The Palestine Liberation Organization has assumed authority for tourism in the still-occupied West Bank. The transfer of authority by Israel is the latest phase of expanding Palestinian self-rule beyond the Gaza Strip and the West Bank town of Jericho. Israel and Jordan, meanwhile, have opened embassies in each other’s largest cities, making Jordan the only Arab country since Egypt to establish such ties with Israel. The move is significant to travelers because Arab countries hostile to Israel may not honor passports that show evidence of travel to Israel.

Briefly . . .

Hot Spots: The State Department has dropped Gambia from its list of places where Americans are advised not to travel. Remaining on the list are Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Burundi, Colombia, Guatemala, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, North Korea, Peru, Rwanda, Serbia and Montenegro, Somalia, Sudan and Tajikistan.

The U.S. State Department offers recorded travel warnings and advisories at (202) 647-5225.