Wayzata World Factbook 1995/World Factbook - 1995 Edition - Wayzata Technology (1995).iso/mac/text/Build/tvlmactxt/PERU.TVL

Text File | 1994-12-07 | 9KB | 156 lines

Peru - Travel Warning
July 20, 1994

The Department of State warns all U.S. citizens of the dangers of travel to
Peru.  With the exception of certain tourist areas, terrorist violence which
has diminished over the past year continues to occur in many parts of the
country.  Foreign visitors have not been specifically targeted and tourist
areas have generally been free of terrorist activity.  Additional
information can be found in the Department of State's Consular Information
Sheet on Peru.

No. 94-029

This replaces the Travel Warning for Peru dated March 19, 1993, to reflect a
diminishing of terrorist incidents over the past year.

Peru - Consular Information Sheet
September 2, 1994

Warning:  The Department of State warns all U.S. citizens of the dangers of
travel to Peru.  With the exception of certain tourist areas, terrorist
violence which has diminished over the past year continues to occur in many
parts of the country.  Foreign visitors have not been specifically targeted
and tourist areas have generally been free of terrorist activity.

Country Description: Peru has a developing economy.  Tourist facilities
outside of major cities and tourist areas may not be adequate.

Entry Requirements: A passport is required.  U.S. citizens do not need a
visa for a one-month stay.  For current information concerning entry and
customs requirements for Peru, travelers can contact the Peruvian Embassy at
1700 Massachusetts Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036, telephone: (202) 833-
9860, or the nearest consulate in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami,
Chicago, Newark, New York, Houston, or San Juan.

Medical Facilities: Medical care does not meet U.S. standards.  Cholera and
other infectious diseases, such as hepatitis, are present in Peru.  Visitors
who follow proper precautions about food and drink are not generally at
risk.  Malaria and other infectious diseases can be an added risk in some
jungle areas.  In addition, travel to high altitude areas can carry the risk
of high altitude sickness, especially with rapid ascent.

U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States and the
Medicare/Medicaid program does not provide 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, the traveler can contact the Centers for
Disease Control's international travelers' hotline at [phone].

Terrorist Activities:  With the exception of certain tourist areas
(Arequipa, Cuzco, Ica, Iquitos, Paracas, Puerto Maldonado, Puno, and
Trujillo), many parts of the country are designated as "emergency zones"
(i.e. areas where the government has suspended certain constitutional
rights).  These zones are extremely dangerous because of terrorist and
criminal activities.  Despite the arrest of their key leadership in 1992,
two insurgent organizations, Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path) and the Tupac
Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA) continue to carry out bombings and other
terrorist attacks against a range of targets in Peru, principally Peruvian
nationals, government installations, and banks, but also against U.S. as
well as other foreign interests.

Terrorist violence has diminished in intensity over the past year but
continues to affect a large part of the country.  The cities of Lima and
Callao remain under a state of emergency.  With the exception of certain
tourist areas which have been free of terrorist activity, terrorist bombings
and shootings occur throughout Peru.  Foreign visitors have not been
specifically targeted by terrorist groups, however, the U.S. Embassy and
other foreign embassies, commercial premises, and several hotels in
Miraflores used by visiting business travelers and tourists have been
damaged by package and car bombs.

Emergency Zones:  The following areas have been designated as "emergency
zones" by the Peruvian government:  Apurimac Department, Ayacucho Department
(except for the city of Ayacucho proper), Huanacavelica Department, Huanuco
Department, Junin Department, Lima Department, Pasco Department, San Martin
Department, Ucayali Department (except for air travel to the city of
Pucallpa), the La Convencion and Calco provinces within the Cuzco
Department, the Huaraz, Carhuaz, Yungnay, Recuay provinces of Melgar,
Azangaro and Sandia within the Puno Department, the Huancabamba province
within the Piura Department, and the Ucayali and Alto Amazonas provinces
within the Loreto Department.  These zones are extremely dangerous regions
where both terrorism and violent crime are common.  U.S. citizens who travel
to or through designated "emergency zones" outside Lima, especially
overland, are subjecting themselves to extraordinary risk.

Crime Information: Street crime such as pickpocketing and armed robbery, in
or near hotels and residences, is very common.  Robberies are a serious
problem in Lima and in the tourist cities of Cusco and Iquitos.  The
majority of crimes are non-violent in nature and involve petty thefts by
pickpockets and purse-snatchers.  The threat of street crime is greatest in
areas which attract large crowds.  Over the last year criminals have become
more brazen and have resorted to serious types of crime, such as smash and
grab robberies, where thieves break car windows and steal any item within
reach.  Counterfeit U.S.bills in $20, $50, and $100 denominations are
common, and travelers should be extremely cautious when changing money with
street side money changers.  Paying close attention to one's personal
belongings is an essential countermeasure to deter criminal activity.

The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately
to the local police and the U.S. Embassy.  Useful information on guarding
valuables and protecting personal security while traveling abroad is
provided in the Department of State pamphlet, "A Safe Trip Abroad", which 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."

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

Adoptions:  All U.S. citizens wishing to adopt in Peru must use one of the
agencies approved by the Peruvian government.  For an up-to-date list of
these agencies, prospective adopting parents are urged to contact the
Department of State or the U.S. Embassy in Lima.  For the foreseeable
future, all adoptions will take place in Lima.  The Peruvian government body
charged with implementation of the new adoption laws, the Technical
Secretariat for Adoptions, estimates that adoptive parents will need to
remain in Peru for a minimum of 30 days and a maximum of 60 days.  However,
no adoptions have been completed under the new law and as a result it is
uncertain how long prospective adoptive parents will have to remain in Peru
to complete their adoptions.  Adoptive parents should also know that
foreigners carrying cash are identifiable targets for thieves.

The Peruvian Embassy in Washington, D.C. encourages prospective adopting
parents to consult its staff for information on the adoption process.
Additional information on Peruvian adoption proceedings and U.S. immigrant
visa requirements is available from the consular section of the U.S. Embassy
or by writing the Office of Citizens Consular Services, CA/OCS/CCS, Room
4817, Department of State, Washington, D.C. 20520, or by telephoning (202)
647-3712.

Civil Aviation Oversight:  In February 1992, the U.S. Federal Aviation
Administration assessed Peru's civil aviation authority as in compliance
with international aviation safety oversight standards for Peruvian 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:  U.S. citizens, who travel to Peru despite
the Department's travel warning, are requested to register with the consular
section of the U.S. Embassy in Lima at Grimaldo del Solar 346, Miraflores,
telephone: [phone] or 44-3921 to obtain the latest travel and
security information.

The U.S. Embassy is located at the corner of Avenidas Inca Garcilaso de la
Vega and Espana, telephone: [phone].  There is also a consular
agency in Cuzco at Avenida Tullumayo 125, telephone: [phone].

No. 94-189

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet for Peru dated July 22, 1994 to
add information on aviation oversight.