#grenada

#grenada

The U.S. Department of State recently increased its travel advisory to a Level 2 for the country of Grenada, recommending Americans "exercise increased caution" when heading there. The advisory was updated on Jan. 5 to include the crime indicator, mentioning instances of armed robbery, assault, and burglary. "Violent crime can occur anywhere in Grenada," the State Department wrote in its message, adding "In some cases, American citizens have been killed. Police response times are not as fast as one may expect in the United States."

"Still relatively undiscovered, Grenada has been a well-kept secret of the discerning Caribbean traveler for decades," says Sheldon Keens-Douglas, the manager of Grenada's Spice Island Beach Resort. Insiders fell in love with the island's more distinct features, like its rugged, rain forest-covered center, enviable reefs, and untouched feel. Dubbed the Spice Island for its bumper crops such as cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, Grenada also has a growing culinary scene that has quietly been drawing in-the-know foodies for years.

As Grenada's government considers the Trump administration's request to set up a military radar base on the island to monitor nearby Venezuela, calls for authorities and islanders to reject the move and allow Grenada to avoid an impending war are beginning to emerge. Leading the charge for the Dickon Mitchell administration to politely say no to the base at the Maurice Bishop International Airport comes from no less influential regional labor leader and ex-senate president Chester Humphrey.