Free Republic

Saint Lucia has long sold travelers a picture of Caribbean paradise: volcanic peaks rising dramatically above turquoise water, rainforest-covered mountains, secluded beaches and luxury resorts built for romantic escapes. That image has not disappeared, but Americans considering a visit now have a more serious safety warning to weigh before booking their trip. The U.S. State Department raised its travel advisory for Saint Lucia to Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution on July 10, 2026. Officials added crime as a formal risk indicator after reporting that foreign visitors have been victims of armed robbery, assault, burglary and rape. In some cases, American...

Residents of St. Vincent and the Grenadines have been told to remain alert after a Caribbean volcano came back to life. La Soufrière is the highest point in St. Vincent and is located near the northern tip of the country but remained dormant for decades before beginning to spew ash on Tuesday this week, AP reported. Steam, gas, and a volcanic dome formed by lava that reached the earth's surface could also be seen above the volcano, according to the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA). The country's government, which consists of a chain of islands home to more than...