Warden Message: Colombia High Threat Environment for Terrorism & Crime

OSAC.gov - Consular Affairs Bulletin - Report ^ | May 22, 2009 | n/a

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

YOU ARE HERE: Home > Reports > Consular Affairs Bulletins > Report Warden Message: Colombia High Threat Environment for Terrorism & Crime CONSULAR AFFAIRS BULLETINS Americas - Colombia 22 May 2009

RELATED REPORTS 14 May 2009 WARDEN MESSAGE: COLOMBIA CONFIRMS H1N1 2009 INFLUENZA CASES 20 Apr 2009 FARC CONTINUES TO TARGET COMMERCE IN EXTORTION CAMPAIGN 25 Mar 2009 TRAVEL WARNING: COLOMBIA 20 Mar 2009 WARDEN MESSAGE: COLOMBIA BLACK MARCH ADVISORY 27 Jan 2009 WARDEN MESSAGE: BOGOTA, COLOMBIA, EXPLOSION; REPORTS OF TWO FATALITIES

The U.S. Embassy Bogotá issued the following Warden Message on May 22:

This Warden Message is to remind American citizens traveling to or residing in Colombia of the high threat environment for terrorism and crime. This month marks the 45th anniversary of the founding of the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia). While the Embassy possesses no information concerning specific and credible threats against Americans in Colombia, U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to exercise caution and remain vigilant.

American citizens and U.S. interests remain targets for terrorists and criminal elements. All U.S. citizens are encouraged to exercise caution. All official and personal travel outside of Bogota by Embassy personnel is subject to review, and personal travel by Embassy employees to the departments of Tolima and Meta is prohibited. Throughout Colombia, Embassy personnel are prohibited from taking mass transit (e.g., public and private buses, metros, etc.) and frequenting outside cafes and street-side exterior dining areas. The Embassy strongly advises all Americans to refrain from using mass transit as well. 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 and demonstrations.

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts can be found. Up to date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States, or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). American citizens traveling or residing overseas are encouraged to register with the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate on the State Department's travel registration website at https://travelregistration.state.gov.

In case of an emergency, please contact the Consular Section at the Embassy in Bogota, Carrera 45, # 24B-27, Bogota, D.C., Colombia. Emergency telephone contact may be made 24 hours a day at (571) 315-0811.

[Cindy]

A closer look at FARC:

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/farc/index