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Colombia Travel Warning

Disclaimer: Please note that we at Sunburst International Risk Management provides Travel Information as a value-added service to our international clients and visitors of this website. We update our posting frequently, in order to provide you with current and reliable travel alerts as quickly as we can. However, Travel Warnings posted on this website are subject to change without notice. We suggest that you also check with the State Department and other governmental agencies regarding the safety in the your destinations before you leave.

This Travel Warning was updated on February 5, 2008 to remind American citizens of ongoing security concerns in Colombia. The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens of the dangers of travel to Colombia. While security in Colombia has improved significantly in recent years, violence by narco-terrorist groups continues to affect some rural areas and cities. The potential for violence by terrorists and other criminal elements exists in all parts of the country. For additional details about the general criminal threat, please see the Department of State’s Country Specific Information for Colombia.

Violence has decreased markedly in many urban destinations, including Bogotá, Medellín, Barranquilla, and Cartagena. Cali continues to experience more violence than most other large cities, and the level of violence in Buenaventura remains high. Small towns and rural areas of Colombia can still be extremely dangerous due to the presence of narco-terrorists. Common crime remains a significant problem in many urban and rural areas.

The incidence of kidnapping in Colombia has diminished significantly from its peak at the beginning of this decade. Nevertheless, terrorist groups such as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the National Liberation Army (ELN) and other criminal organizations continue to kidnap and hold civilians for ransom or as political bargaining chips. No one is immune from kidnapping on the basis of occupation, nationality, or other factors.

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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.

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.

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Violence in recent years has decreased markedly in most urban areas, including Bogotá, Medellin, Barranquilla, and Cartagena. The level of violence in Cali and its surrounding areas remains high, largely as a result of the illicit drug trade. Many rural portions of Colombia also remain extremely dangerous due to the presence of narcoterrorists and Colombian government operations against them.

At least five Americans were kidnapped in 2004, and at least one in 2005. No one can be considered immune from kidnapping on the basis of occupation, nationality, or other factors. 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. 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.

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Official Americans and their families are permitted to travel to major cities, but only by air, and may not 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.

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 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 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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INTERNATIONAL SECURITY NEWS BRIEFS:
Please note that we at Sunburst International Risk Management provides the International Security News Briefs as a value-added service to our international clients and visitors of this website. Our International Security News Briefs are updated frequently, in order to provide you with current and reliable news and events as quickly as we can. We have no control over the content of external websites, and links to various external news sources may become inactive at any time. We suggest that you bookmark our website and return frequently to check the current global news posted on our website.

Mexico Spring Break Tourism Falls Amid Violence, Universal Says February 22, 2011
Western Hemisphere > Mexico > Acapulco; Western Hemisphere > Mexico > Mazatlan
Foreign tourism may fall as much as 88 percent in Acapulco this year as spring breakers cancel trips because of reports of violence, El Universal reported. more...

MULTINATIONALS KEEP EGYPT OFFICES SHUT, WORKERS HOME February 2, 2011
Multinational companies had no immediate plans to reopen Egyptian offices or bring back evacuated employees after President Hosni Mubarak's attempt to restore stability failed to placate protesters.

Bangkok raises security to high alert after recent blasts September 03, 2010
BANGKOK : Thailand has put over 460 locations across Bangkok on high alert on Friday in response to a series of grenade attacks that have rattled nerves in a city still under emergency rule after deadly protests. Royal palaces, key government buildings, power plants and public transport will receive special protection from the Centre for Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES), the body set up to monitor security since unrest in April.

Alleged terrorism plot targeted Canada August 27, 2010
Americas - Canada Three Ontario men accused of taking part in a domestic terrorist plot and possessing plans and materials to create makeshift bombs had allegedly selected specific targets in Canada, sources told CBC News. more...

Thailand's PM declares emergency April 7, 2010
Thailand's prime minister declares a state of emergency in Bangkok amid growing anti-government protests. In a televised address, Mr Abhisit said the move - which gives sweeping new powers to the security forces to tackle protesters - would help restore order. It comes hours after thousands of "red-shirt" protesters marched on parliament - forcing MPs to flee the building.

1,000 Die Of TB In India Every Day, Says WHO March 25, 2010
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 5,000 Indians develop TB and nearly 1,000 people die from it every day - the equivalent of two deaths every three minutes. Yesterday was World TB Day, organised by the Stop TB Partnership, a network of organisations and countries fighting the disease, which currently infects one-third of the world’s population, according to the WHO.

Strong aftershock rattles Haiti January 20, 2010
A strong aftershock rocks Haiti, sending panicked people into the streets, eight days after another devastating earthquake.

Terror groups gaining Western recruits October 19, 2009
German security services have been on high alert since last month, ... The agents provide guidance, money, travel routes and even letters of recommendation ...

Massive flooding leaves 140 dead in Philippines East Asia / Pacific - Philippines 09/28/2009
The Philippine government has appealed for international help after massive flooding set off by a tropical storm at the weekend left at least 140 dead.

China Bars Foreigners From Making Visits to Tibet September 25, 2009
China has stopped issuing travel documents to foreigners seeking to visit Tibet, according to local tour operators, another indicator of the government’s skittishness over the coming anniversary of the Communist victory in 1949.

Citizens seek new Nigeria in the new year January 03, 2009
The Guardian - Nigeria - Lagos,Nigeria
THE urgent imperative of a new and better Nigeria was the fulcrum of New Year messages across the country yesterday. From Senate President David Mark came a charge to Nigerians to renew their faith in Nigeria to facilitate the desired development of the country. ... if we must rescue the country from the hands of self-serving and bankrupt leaders who have impoverished the people and held them to ransom. ...

Caracas named 'murder capital of world' January 02, 2009
Americas - Venezuela At least 510 people were killed in Caracas, Venezuela, in December, giving support to a recent report that called the city the murder capital of the world.

9 Muslim Passengers Removed From Jet January 02, 2009
Others on Flight Say a Remark Was 'Suspicious'
Officials ordered nine Muslim passengers, including three young children, off an AirTran flight headed to Orlando from Reagan National Airport yesterday afternoon after two other passengers overheard what they thought was a suspicious remark.

East Asia / Pacific - Thailand
Muslim insurgency stokes fear in southern Thailand Feb. 26, 2007
PATTANI, Thailand: Some are already calling it war, a brutal Muslim separatist insurgency in southern Thailand that has taken as many as 2,000 lives in three years, with almost- daily bombings, drive-by shootings, arson and beheadings.

Sub-Saharan Africa - Nigeria
Lockdown in Nigeria Feb. 12, 2007
Port Harcourt, Nigeria - Oil companies in Port Harcourt, the main city in Nigeria's oil-producing Niger Delta, have reinforced security for their staff following a wave of kidnappings and attacks, industry sources said on Monday.

Americas - Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia
Dengue alert issued in S America Feb. 8, 2007
A health alert has been declared in Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia after an outbreak of dengue fever. The authorities have blamed higher rainfall this season as a cause of the unusually rapid spread of the disease.

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Europe - Russia Feb. 5, 2007
Registration Rules Stir Up Confusion
Moscow, Russia: According to a new law that came into effect Jan. 15, foreigners are now required to hand over their registration papers to migration officials -- via their employer or other sponsor -- every time they leave the country and re-register upon subsequent entry into the country.

Europe - Netherlands
North Sea Airborne Chemical Danger 1/30/07
U.S. Consulate General Amsterdam issued this warning to U.S. Citizens traveling to and residing in the Netherlands that the Consulate has been informed that a ship fire west of Amsterdam is releasing large amounts of Hydrogen-Cyanide and Carbon-Monoxide into the air, which is blowing east towards Amsterdam and north towards Beverwijk and Zaanstad.

Kidnap group leader nabbed East Asia / Pacific - Philippines
LINGAYEN -- A leader of the Pepino kidnap-for-ransom group was arrested Wednesday in Bolinao, Pangasinan Wednesday, police officials said.

Tensions mount in Bolivian region
Americas - Bolivia Bolivia's central government has said it will not recognise a parallel administration set up by protesters in the central state of Cochabamba. The demonstrators, mainly coca leaf growers who back President Evo Morales, want the local governor, who is aligned with the opposition, to resign.

Foreign Workers Freed in Nigeria

Sub-Saharan Africa - Nigeria Five Chinese workers kidnapped in Nigeria's oil-rich Niger Delta region have been freed. Unidentified gunmen seized the group of telecommunications engineers near the city of Port Harcourt on 5 January.

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Caracas named 'murder capital of world' January 02, 2009 Americas - Venezuela At least 510 people were killed in Caracas, Venezuela, in December, giving support to a recent report that called the city the murder capital of the world.

Caracas named 'murder capital of world' January 02, 2009
Americas - Venezuela At least 510 people were killed in Caracas, Venezuela, in December, giving support to a recent report that called the city the murder capital of the world.