Local press and social media are reporting possible protests in the coming days around the vicinity of Grand National Assembly Square, Hotel Codru, Hotel Nobil and the Global Business Center. Protesters and tent cities remain in place on the Main Square, Parliament and in front of the Ministry of Agriculture. In addition, smaller gatherings have also taken place at other locations in the city without notice.
The Regional Security Office has no information that these demonstrations will be violent and there have been no calls for violence. However, as with any large gathering of people, there is always the potential for violence and increased criminal activity. Mission personnel and their families are reminded that in general and as a good security practice it is best to avoid large public marches and demonstrations. Additionally, personnel should monitor cell phones and other communications for updated security information and advice, ensure their emergency radios are charged and functioning and that family members know how to operate them in the event of an emergency and/or loss of other communications. If you have any questions about this Security Announcement, please contact the Regional Security Office.
The Embassy reminds U.S. citizens that demonstrations and large events intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational. Avoid areas of demonstrations, and exercise caution if in the vicinity of any large gatherings, protests, or demonstrations. Large public gatherings can affect all major incoming arteries to the city in which they occur. Demonstrations in one city have the potential to lead to additional public rallies or demonstrations in other locations around the city and country.
For further information:
- See the State Department’s travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Moldova Country Specific Information.
- 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 Moldova, located at 103 Str. Alexei Mateevici, at +373 22 408-300 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. After-hours emergency number for U.S. citizens is +373 22 237-345/408-445.
- 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).
