Latvians Continue to Travel to Belarus Despite Warnings
Despite warnings from Latvian authorities regarding potential risks, thousands of Latvian citizens continue to travel to Belarus each month, primarily to visit family, access health resorts, and for shopping. This trend persists even as the Latvian government discourages such travel due to safety concerns and political tensions.
Continued Travel Despite Official Warnings
Data from the Latvian State Border Guard indicates that 5,592 Latvian citizens entered Belarus through Latvian border checkpoints in December 2025. In January 2026, that number was 2,857. These figures represent official crossings at road checkpoints, and the actual number of travelers may be higher. At the Daugavpils bus station, a common sight is passengers boarding buses destined for Minsk and Vitebsk.
Motivations for Travel
Travelers interviewed by LSM.lv cited various reasons for their journeys. Valērija stated she travels to see loved ones, dismissing concerns about safety. Jeļena explained her travel is necessary to visit her husband, as he is unable to obtain a visa to enter Latvia. Viktorija and Irina expressed a belief in peace and friendship, stating they travel to all countries without fear. Some individuals are also motivated by access to sanatoriums and shopping opportunities.
Risks and Concerns
The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and security services have repeatedly warned citizens about the dangers of traveling to Belarus, including the risk of detention and potential recruitment by Belarusian authorities. Agnese Saliņa, Director of the Consular Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized that even individuals who are not officials or politicians can be targeted for recruitment or falsely accused of offenses. She noted that the legal understanding in Belarus differs significantly from that in Latvia, and actions not considered crimes in Latvia may be severely punished in Belarus, such as criticizing the ruling power.
Recent Detentions and Experiences
Dmitrijs Mihailovs, a Latvian citizen recently released from detention in Belarus, shared his experiences, warning travelers to assess the risks. He recounted instances of individuals being detained for seemingly minor offenses, such as having a subscription to the independent television channel “Dozhdj” or possessing caricatures of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Mihailovs cautioned that a seemingly harmless trip could quickly lead to a dangerous situation, potentially resulting in imprisonment and a drastic change in circumstances.
Travel Agency Operations and Restrictions
Despite a ban on commercial tourist bus trips to Russia and Belarus implemented on November 1, 2025, travel agencies continue to offer trips, and demand remains high. Some agencies openly advertise trips to Belarusian sanatoriums, while others operate more discreetly. The Road Transport Directorate has ceased issuing or extending permits for regular bus trips to Russia and Belarus, meaning existing routes will eventually be discontinued as licenses expire. Still, travel continues via private vehicles and existing licenses.
Online Communities and Border Procedures
Online platforms, including Facebook and Telegram chat rooms, facilitate discussions about travel to Belarus, including information on border crossing procedures and restrictions. Since October 15, 2025, travelers are required to register electronically before crossing the border, eliminating the option of simply queuing at the border crossing.
State Security Service Warnings
The Latvian State Security Service continues to strongly advise against travel to Belarus, highlighting the Belarusian special services’ use of aggressive and illegal methods, including threats, blackmail, and fabricated accusations, to coerce cooperation from foreign citizens. They are interested in espionage, propaganda, and discrediting Latvia and other Western countries.
Looking Ahead
As Russia continues its war in Ukraine and utilizes Belarusian territory, the risks associated with travel to Belarus remain significant. Latvian authorities continue to urge citizens to reconsider non-essential travel to Belarus, emphasizing the potential for arbitrary detention and the vulnerability of Latvian citizens to the interests of the Belarusian authorities.