Wayzata World Factbook 1995/World Factbook - 1995 Edition - Wayzata Technology (1995).iso/mac/text/Build/newtvltxtmac/colombia.tvl

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Colombia - Travel Warning
October 24, 1994

Warning:  The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the dangers of
travel to Colombia.  With the exception of several popular tourist areas,
violence continues to affect a significant portion of the country.  Recent
kidnappings and attacks have targeted U.S. citizens and institutions.
Additional information can be found in the Department of State's Consular
Information Sheet on Colombia.

No. 94-045

This replaces the Travel Warning for Colombia dated January 28, 1994, to
incorporate updated information.

Colombia - Consular Information Sheet
October 31, 1994

Warning:  The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the dangers of
travel to Colombia.  With the exception of several popular tourist areas,
violence continues to affect a significant portion of the country.  Recent
kidnappings and attacks have targeted U.S. citizens and institutions.

Country Description:  Colombia is a medium income country with a diverse
economy.  Tourist facilities vary, depending on cost and area.

Entry Requirements:  A passport and a return/onward ticket are required for
stays of up to three-months.  Minors (under 18) traveling alone, with one
parent, or with a third party must present written authorization from the
absent parent(s) or legal guardian, specifically granting permission to
travel alone, with one parent or with a third party.  This authorization
must be notarized, authenticated by a Colombian Embassy or Consulate, and
translated into Spanish.  For current information concerning entry and
customs requirements for Colombia, travelers can contact the Colombian
Embassy at 2118 Leroy Place N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone: (202)
387-8338 or the nearest Consulate in Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, New
Orleans, New York, Houston or San Juan.

Medical Facilities: Medical care is adequate in major cities, but varies in
quality elsewhere.  Health problems in Colombia include the presence of
cholera, though cholera is found largely in areas outside the cities and
usual tourist areas.  Visitors who follow proper precautions regarding food
and drink are not usually at major risk.

Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health
services.  U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United
States.  The Medicare/Medicaid program does not provide for payment of
medical services outside the United States.  In some cases, supplemental
medical insurance with specific overseas and medical evacuation coverage has
proven useful.  For additional health information, travelers can contact the
Centers for Disease Control's international travelers' hotline [phone].

Crime Information:  Based on Colombian government statistics, Colombia's per
capita murder rate of 77.5 murders per 100,000 inhabitants is seven times
higher than that of the United States.  While narcotics and guerrilla
related violence account for much of this, common criminals are responsible
for 75 percent of the reported murders.

Minor crime is prevalent in cities, especially in the vicinity of hotels and
airports.  Theft of hand luggage and travel documents at airports is common.
 Taking illegal taxis, which are sometimes characterized by two drivers and
irregular markings, may be dangerous.  Attempts at extortion and kidnappings
on rural buses are not unusual.

Many criminals use the drug "scopolamine" to incapacitate tourists, rob
them, and then leave them unconscious, often for over 24 hours.  The drug is
administered in drinks (in bars), through cigarette smoke (in taxis), and in
powder form (tourists are approached by someone asking directions, with the
drug concealed in a piece of paper. The drug renders the person disoriented
and powerless to resist the criminal's orders.

Another common scam is an approach to an obvious tourist by an alleged
"policeman" who says that he is checking for counterfeit U.S. dollars and
wants to "check" the foreigner's money.  The person gives the criminal
his/her money, receives a receipt and the "policeman" disappears.

The loss or theft of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the
local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.  Useful information
on guarding valuables and protecting personal security while traveling
abroad is provided in the Department of State pamphlet, "A Safe Trip
Abroad," it is available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S.
Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.  Also available from the
same address is the Department of State publication, "Tips for travelers to
Central and South America."

Areas of Instability:  Violence in Colombia by criminal and guerrilla
organizations is widespread.  Travel by road outside the major cities is
considered dangerous because of guerrilla activities in the countryside.  As
a result, the official travel of U.S. Government employees in Colombia is
restricted as described below.  The security situation in Colombia is
volatile.  U.S. citizens may consult the Department of State or the U.S.
Embassy in Santa Fe de Bogota or the U.S. Consulate in Barranquilla to
obtain the latest information about areas of instability in Colombia.

The following areas are considered particularly dangerous:

-  Cundinamarca Department:  rural roads.

-  Colombia east of the Andes except the city of Leticia in the Amazonas
Department and adjacent tourist areas in Amazonas.

-  All of Antioquia Department (zone) including the city of Medellin.

-  Most of the North Coast, except for the major tourist areas such as Santa
Marta, Barranquilla, Cartagena, and San Andres.

-  The Northern half of Choco Department, particularly the Uraba region,
except for the tourist area of Capurgana.

-  The Magdelena Medio region: The Magdelena River valley south to Tolima,
including western Boyaca, eastern Caldas, and northwestern Cundinamarca.

-  Rural Valle de Cauca Department and most of the Cauca River valley
including the cities of Cali and Buenaventura, and the road between Cali and
Buenaventura.

-  Tolima Department south of Espinal, especially if traveling after dark.

-  Road travel in Huila and Cauca Departments.  The cities of Neiva and
Popayan are considered to be safe if reached by air.

Restrictions on U.S. Government Employees:  Because of security concerns,
U.S. government employees assigned to Colombia or temporarily visiting in
connection with their official government duties face severe restrictions on
travel within Colombia.  Travel by such personnel to the areas of
instability listed above is generally limited to essential official
functions and must be authorized by the Embassy.  Requests by Embassy
personnel for travel by car outside the Santa Fe de Bogota metropolitan area
are considered on a case by case basis.  The official travel of all U.S.
government personnel traveling to Colombia must be approved in advance by
the U.S. Embassy.

Terrorist Activities:  Several terrorist or guerrilla groups are active in
Colombia and U.S. interests are among their targets.  Kidnapping for ransom
or political purposes is increasing in Colombia.  Several U.S. citizens have
recently been kidnapped by guerrillas.  In 1994, properties of churches
identified with the U.S. were bombed in Bucaramanga, Cali and Medellin, and
a bomb damaged a Coca-Cola bottling plant in Bucaramanga.

Drug Penalties:  U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in
which they are traveling.  Penalties in Colombia for possession, use and
trafficking in illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect
lengthy jail sentences and fines.

Firearms:  Colombian law prohibits tourists and business travelers from
importing or bringing firearms into Colombia.  The penalty for illegal
importation and/or possession of firearms is 3 to 10 years in prison.

Aviation Oversight:  In December 1991, the U.S. Federal Aviation
Administration assessed Colombia's Civil Aviation Authority as in compliance
with international aviation safety oversight standards for Colombia's
carriers operating to and from the U.S.  The same level of safety oversight
would typically be applied to operations to other destinations.  For further
information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation at 1-800-
322-7873.

Embassy Location/Registration:  Upon arrival U.S. citizens are urged to
register with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Bogota at Calle 38
No. 8-61, telephone: [phone] or the Consulate in Barranquilla at
Calle 77, Carrera 68, Centro Comercial Mayorista, telephone: [phone]-
088, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Colombia.

No. 94-255

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated September 2, 1994 by
updating the warning and information on crime, terrorism and areas of
instability.