The U.S. Embassy informs U.S. citizens that between Friday, November 4, and Sunday, November 6, traffic restrictions and sporadic protests are expected throughout Riga related to the China-Eastern European Economic Forum. The event will take place at the National Library, but traffic and anti-riot police presence are expected throughout the city.
The Embassy expects the protests will be non-violent, but U.S. citizens are reminded that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. Review your personal security plans, remain aware of your surroundings, including local events, and monitor local news stations for updates. Maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security.
For further information:
- See the State Department’s travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and the Country Specific Information for Latvia. For additional information, refer to the “Traveler’s Checklist” on the State Department’s website.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Contact the U.S. Embassy in Latvia, located at 1 Samnera Velsa Street, Riga, LV 1510, at +371 6710 7000, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday. After-hours emergency number for U.S. citizens is +371 6710 7000. The Embassy website is https://lv.usembassy.gov.
- Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).