Colombia Travel
Warning
June 04, 2007
xmlns:st1="urn:www.microsoft.com/smarttags" xmlns:w="urn:www.microsoft.com/word"
xmlns:x="urn:www.microsoft.com/excel">This Travel Warning updates ongoing
security concerns in Colombia and reminds American citizens of those
concerns. This supersedes the Travel Warning issued January 18, 2006.
xmlns:st1="urn:www.microsoft.com/smarttags" xmlns:w="urn:www.microsoft.com/word"
xmlns:x="urn:www.microsoft.com/excel">The Department of State warns U.S.
citizens of the dangers of travel to Colombia. Violence by narcoterrorist
groups and other criminals continues to affect all parts of the country, urban
and rural.
xmlns:st1="urn:www.microsoft.com/smarttags" xmlns:w="urn:www.microsoft.com/word"
xmlns:x="urn:www.microsoft.com/excel">Violence has continued to decrease
markedly in most urban areas, including Bogotá, Medellin, Barranquilla, and
Cartagena. The level of violence in Cali, Buenaventura, and the
surrounding areas remains high, largely as a result of the illicit drug
trade. Many rural areas of Colombia remain extremely dangerous due to the
presence of narcoterrorists and Colombian government operations against them.
xmlns:st1="urn:www.microsoft.com/smarttags" xmlns:w="urn:www.microsoft.com/word"
xmlns:x="urn:www.microsoft.com/excel">Terrorist groups such as the Revolutionary
Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN), and
other criminal organizations, continue to kidnap civilians for ransom or as
political bargaining chips. No one can be considered immune from
kidnapping on the basis of occupation, nationality, or other
factors. The FARC have held three American official contractors
hostage since February 2003. Although the U.S. government places the
highest priority on the safe recovery of kidnapped Americans, it is U.S. policy
not to make concessions to or strike deals with kidnappers. Consequently,
the U.S. government’s ability to assist kidnapping victims is limited.
xmlns:st1="urn:www.microsoft.com/smarttags" xmlns:w="urn:www.microsoft.com/word"
xmlns:x="urn:www.microsoft.com/excel">U.S. government officials and their
families in Colombia are permitted to travel to major cities in the country, but
only by air. They are not allowed to use inter- or intra-city bus
transportation. They also are not permitted to travel by road outside of
urban areas at night. All Americans in Colombia are urged to follow these
precautions.
xmlns:st1="urn:www.microsoft.com/smarttags" xmlns:w="urn:www.microsoft.com/word"
xmlns:x="urn:www.microsoft.com/excel">As the Department develops information on
potential security threats to U.S. citizens overseas, it shares credible threats
through its Consular Information Program documents, available on the Internet at
http://travel.state.gov. U.S.
citizens should consult warden messages for Colombia at
href="http://bogota.usembassy.gov/wwwsc093.shtml">http://bogota.usembassy.gov/wwwsc093.shtml,
as well as the Department of State’s Consular Information Sheet for Colombia and
Worldwide Caution Public Announcement at
href="http://travel.state.gov/">http://travel.state.gov. U.S.
travelers can also get up-to-date information on security conditions by calling
1-888-407-4747 in the U.S. or Canada or on a regular toll line at
1-202-501-4444.
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