TRAVEL AND INFORMATION
Important Warden Message for American Citizens in Colombia 12/06/2007 Armed Robberies The U.S. Embassy in Bogota wishes to alert U.S. citizens in Colombia to recent violent armed robberies against U.S. citizens while hiking on wooded trails in and around Bogotá. As a result of these robberies, the U.S. Embassy has restricted official American employees and their family members from hiking on trails above Avenida Circunvalar in Bogotá or on trails at Rocas de Suesca in Cundinamarca Department. Armed robberies against U.S. citizens have occurred at both locations in the past two months. If you plan to hike on wooded trails in and around Bogotá, we encourage you to do so only in large groups, and to consider hiring private security to accompany you. While we do not have any indications that the perpetrators are targeting U.S. citizens specifically, Americans and other tourists are often vulnerable to this type of crime because of their perceived affluence.
Colombia’s local and departmental elections will take place on October 28, 2007. In the past, the level of violence by terrorist groups in Colombia has increased during elections and the weeks leading up to them. Although the U.S. Embassy has no information about specific, credible threats against Americans in Colombia, the Embassy urges U.S. citizens in Colombia to remain especially alert and to keep a low profile. As always, Americans should steer clear of large gatherings or street protests, and should consider avoiding outdoor restaurants and cafes This Warden Message is to alert American citizens traveling to or residing in Colombia that the Embassy has received information indicating that the terrorist organization known as the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarios de Colombia (FARC) may be planning to target U.S. citizens in the town of Melgar, in Tolima Department. The Embassy recommends that U.S. citizens avoid travel to Melgar until further notice. For U.S. citizens already in Melgar, the Embassy urges them to maintain a low profile and to avoid restaurants, bars, and other public places until further notice. 04-Jun-2006 – Taxi Crime in Bogotá The following message from the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá is for all U.S. citizens traveling or living in Colombia. Please pass to all U.S. citizens in Colombia. Robbery of taxi passengers has become a serious problem in large cities in Colombia, and especially in Bogota. In recent months, many people, including U.S. citizens, have been attacked and robbed after entering taxis. Four U.S. citizens officially assigned to the Embassy have been victimized in this way in just the past three months. In one recent case in Bogotá, a U.S. citizen was seriously wounded. Typically, the driver of the taxi (who is one of the conspirators) will pick up the passenger, and will then stop to pick up two or more armed cohorts, who enter the cab, overpower the passenger, and take his/her belongings. If the passenger has an automated teller machine card, the perpetrators will often force the passenger to withdraw money from various ATM locations. Such ordeals can last for hours. In almost every case of this type, the victims have been riding alone and have hailed their taxis on the street. Rather than hailing a taxi, you should take advantage of the telephone dispatch service that most taxi companies offer. If you do not have a phone, most hotels, restaurants, and stores will call a dispatcher for you. When a taxi is dispatched by telephone, a record of the call and the responding taxi is created. Additionally, the passenger receives a code from the dispatcher, which helps ensure that the correct taxi has arrived. In some locations, such as large shopping malls and major airports, taxi stands have been set up, and they too provide a measure of security because a company employee generally creates a written record of the ride. 21-Sep-2006 – Northern Bogota Malls Temporarily Off Limits Due to Threats This Warden Message is to alert American citizens traveling to or residing in Colombia that the Embassy has received information of a threat by FARC elements to bomb a shopping mall in the northern Bogota area. As a result of this information, Embassy officials are prohibited from visiting all shopping malls and surrounding areas in northern Bogota. American citizens are strongly urged to refrain from frequenting these areas. This restriction will be in effect through October 1, 2006 unless otherwise amended. As always, U.S. citizens in Colombia should be proactive in taking security precautions. They should vary their travel routes and the times of their arrivals and departures, and remain aware of their surroundings. U.S. citizens in Colombia should always avoid large public gatherings or demonstrations.
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