Right at the beginning of Holy Week, a time when tourism activity in Colombia becomes more dynamic, the United States Department of State issued an alert for travelers to reconsider heading to five departments of the country due to the security risks they represent. The alert is issued for all its citizens and government employees.
United States authorities classify their travel advisories into four levels: 1) Exercise normal precautions; 2) Exercise increased caution; 3) Reconsider travel; and 4) Do not travel. In its alert issued this Tuesday, March 31, they place Colombia at level 3, due to the possible occurrence of crime, acts of terrorism, unrest, kidnapping or hostage taking, and natural disasters.
Areas of Colombia not recommended for United States citizens
Specifically, they recommend not traveling to Arauca, Cauca (except Popayan), Valle del Cauca (except Cali), and the department of Norte de Santander due to crime and terrorism, especially “within 10 km / 5 miles of the region bordering Colombia and Venezuela due to crime, kidnapping, conflict between armed groups, and the risk of detention,” the alert states.
The Travel.State.Goc site, of the Department of State, summarizes its advisory as follows: “Violent crime is common in many areas of Colombia, including homicide, assault, and robbery. Other crimes, such as drugging, extortion, kidnapping, and armed break-ins — including at hotels and other places where tourists stay — also occur frequently in some regions.”
It also specifies that “street crime occurs throughout Colombia and can quickly become violent,” and recommends to its citizens that, if they are targeted by criminals, they should “not resist.” For the Department of State, “police procedures and investigations in Colombia differ from those in the United States, and crimes against tourists are not always prosecuted. This can be a source of frustration for victims.”
Danger of terrorism actions
It also provides an extensive list of places that may be targets of terrorist acts, which can be attacked “with little or no warning.”
- United States government facilities
- Local government facilities
- Tourist areas and attractions
- Transportation centers
- Shopping malls and markets
- Military and police facilities
- Hotels
- Clubs
- Restaurants
- Airports
It emphasizes that police, military personnel, as well as their facilities are “frequent targets, even in large cities.” It also recalls that, in the past, attacks have included car bombs, grenades, explosive devices placed in buildings or on main roads, and the use of drones.
In its advisory, the Department of State reflects a situation about which not only the opposition to the government of President Gustavo Petro has warned, but also international organizations: “Illegal armed groups, including narcotrafficking groups and terrorist organizations, have increased in number and have expanded into more regions of Colombia.”
“In remote areas where these groups fight with the government, they use improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and landmines against rivals and government forces,” the advisory adds. “These explosives may be hidden in vehicles, attached to drones, or buried in the ground. Truck bombs have also been used to attack police and military facilities. Civilians may be unintentionally affected by attacks directed at other groups or government targets.”
Regarding political demonstrations, another of the activities promoted by the government of President Petro, the United States alert says that they “are common throughout Colombia and can”:
- Block roads and highways without notice or estimated reopening times
- Cause road closures that reduce access to public transportation
- Interrupt travel within and between cities
- Become violent and cause deaths and injuries
Due to the risks, United States government employees in Colombia are prohibited from:
- Traveling to land borders without special authorization
- Using motorcycles
- Hailing taxis on the street or using any form of public transportation not previously arranged