20 Times American Travelers Should Have Known Better

Traveling internationally requires not only an adventurous spirit but also a deep respect for the laws and customs of the host country. Unfortunately, some American travelers have found themselves in dire situations due to poor decisions or misunderstandings of local norms. Here are 20 such cases, emphasizing the importance of informed and respectful travel.

1. Otto Warmbier – North Korea, 2016

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Otto Warmbier, a university student, was detained in North Korea for attempting to steal a propaganda poster. Sentenced to 15 years of hard labor, Warmbier returned to the U.S. in a coma in 2017 and passed away shortly after.

2. Amanda Knox – Italy, 2007

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Amanda Knox, an American exchange student, was convicted in Italy of murdering her roommate Meredith Kercher. The case drew international attention, and after multiple appeals, Knox was definitively acquitted in 2015.

3. Lori Berenson – Peru, 1995

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Lori Berenson, an American, was arrested in Peru on charges of terrorism and sentenced to life in prison, later reduced to 20 years. Her involvement with the Túpac Amaru Revolutionary Movement led to her imprisonment, and she was released in 2010.

4. Michael Fay – Singapore, 1994

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Michael Fay, an 18-year-old American, was caned in Singapore for vandalism, despite international pleas for clemency. His case highlighted the strict enforcement of local laws and the consequences of disregarding them.

5. Sarah Shourd, Shane Bauer, and Joshua Fattal – Iran, 2009

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These three American hikers were detained by Iran while hiking near the Iraq-Iran border, accused of espionage. They were imprisoned for two years before being released after diplomatic negotiations.

6. Matthew Miller – North Korea, 2014

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Matthew Miller was sentenced to six years of hard labor in North Korea after allegedly tearing up his visa at Pyongyang airport and seeking asylum. He was released later that same year following diplomatic efforts.

7. Kenneth Bae – North Korea, 2012

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Kenneth Bae, an American missionary, was arrested and sentenced to 15 years in a labor camp in North Korea for “hostile acts against the state.” He was released in 2014 after extensive diplomatic negotiations.

8. Gracia and Martin Burnham – Philippines, 2001

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Gracia and Martin Burnham, American missionaries, were kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf militant group in the Philippines. Martin was killed during a rescue attempt in 2002, while Gracia was freed.

9. Allen Gross – Cuba, 2009

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Allen Gross was arrested in Cuba for espionage after bringing satellite communications equipment to the island as part of a project for USAID. He was released in 2014 as part of a broader diplomatic agreement.

10. Billy Hayes – Turkey, 1970

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Billy Hayes was arrested in Turkey for trying to smuggle hashish and was sentenced to life in prison, later escaping in 1975. His story was dramatized in the film “Midnight Express,” highlighting the harsh realities of Turkish prisons.

11. Ryan Lochte – Brazil, 2016

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During the Rio Olympics, swimmer Ryan Lochte falsely claimed he and three other swimmers were robbed at gunpoint. The lie was exposed, leading to a scandal and charges against Lochte for falsely reporting a crime.

12. Wade Hicks Jr. – Hawaii, 2012

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Wade Hicks Jr. was placed on a no-fly list while in transit to visit his wife, a U.S. Navy officer, in Japan. Stranded in Hawaii and unable to proceed or return, he was stuck for weeks before being removed from the list.

13. John Chau – India, 2018

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John Chau, an American missionary, was killed by the Sentinelese tribe after illegally venturing onto North Sentinel Island, part of India’s Andaman Islands, in an attempt to convert the tribe to Christianity.

14. Jason Puracal – Nicaragua, 2010

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Jason Puracal was wrongfully imprisoned in Nicaragua on drug charges and for money laundering. He was released in 2012 after numerous legal battles and international advocacy.

15. Jacob Ostreicher – Bolivia, 2011

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Jacob Ostreicher, a New York businessman, was detained in Bolivia without charge related to a money laundering investigation and spent years fighting for his freedom.

16. Paul Whelan – Russia, 2018

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Paul Whelan, a former U.S. Marine, was arrested in Russia and accused of espionage. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison in a trial that U.S. officials claim lacked transparency.

17. Trevor Reed – Russia, 2019

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Trevor Reed, another former U.S. Marine, was arrested in Russia for allegedly assaulting two police officers. He was sentenced to nine years in prison amid contentious relations between the U.S. and Russia.

18. Michael White – Iran, 2018

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Michael White, a U.S. Navy veteran, was detained in Iran and sentenced to 10 years in prison on charges of insulting the supreme leader and posting private information online. He was released in 2020 in a prisoner swap.

19. Amanda Bynes – London, 2014

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Actress Amanda Bynes was detained at London’s Heathrow Airport for a brief period after making derogatory comments about a security officer. She was not charged but was put on the next flight back to the U.S.

20. Timothy Hodge – New Zealand, 2020

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Timothy Hodge, an American tourist, faced legal action in New Zealand after breaking quarantine rules during the COVID-19 pandemic. He was fined and deported.

Respect the Law