Wayzata World Factbook 1996/The World Factbook - 1996 Edition - Wayzata Technology (3079) (1996).iso/pc/text/tvltxt/bolivia.tvl

Text File | 1994-12-07 | 6KB | 106 lines

Bolivia - Consular Information Sheet
September 2, 1994

Country Description:  Bolivia is a developing nation with a slowly growing
economy.  Facilities for tourism are adequate but vary greatly in quality.
Roads outside the major cities are frequently unpaved.  Rail transportation
is below standard.

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 Bolivia, travelers can contact the Bolivian Embassy
at 3014 Massachusetts Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, tel: (202) 483-
4410 or the nearest consulate in Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Houston, New
Orleans or San Francisco.

Medical Facilities:  Medical care in large cities is adequate but of varying
quality.  Doctors and hospitals usually expect immediate cash payment for
health services.  U.S. medical insurance is not valid in Bolivia.  The
Medicare/Medicaid program does not provide payment of medical services
outside the United States.  In some cases, medical insurance with specific
overseas and medical evacuation coverage has proven useful.  Cholera is
present in Bolivia.  Visitors who follow proper precautions about food and
drink are not usually at risk.  For additional health information, travelers
can contact the Centers for Disease Control's international travelers'
hotline at [phone].

Crime Information:  Street crime such as pickpocketing and theft from parked
vehicles is common.  Violent crimes or crimes involving weapons are rare.

The loss or theft 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."

Areas of Instability:  Because of anti-narcotics activities in the Chapare
region between Santa Cruz and Cochabamba the potential for security risks
exists in this area.  Travelers to this area should consult with the
Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy prior to travel.

Terrorist Activities:  There have been isolated terrorist incidents against
American official installations and resident missionaries over the past four
years.  There were two incidents in 1993, involving a U.S. Agency for
International Development (USAID) facility in La Paz and a Mormon church in
El Alto.  No incidents occurred in the first half of 1994.

Drug Penalties:  U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in
which they are traveling.  Penalties in Bolivia for possession, use and
trafficking in illegal drugs are strict and convicted offenders can expect
lengthy jail sentences and fines.  Arrested persons can expect to wait in
prison for up to two years before being sentenced.

Adoptions:  Adoptions or the granting of legal custody for subsequent
adoption abroad is possible for foreigners.  Selection of a reputable
attorney and agency is essential.  Processing can take weeks or months and
must conform with both Bolivian and U.S. law.  Bolivian laws governing
adoptions by foreigners has changed in the past year but has not yet been
fully implemented awaiting the appointment of new judges to handle these
cases.  The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy is unable to intervene on
behalf of adoptive parents to bypass legal requirements and bureaucratic
obstacles.  Updated information on adoption processing in Bolivia is
available from the Consular Section of the Embassy.  Additional information
is available by writing the Office of Citizens Consular Services,
CA/OCS/CCS, Room 4817, Department of State, Washington, D.C. 20520 or by
telephoning [phone].

Other Information:  La Paz and other cities have been the scene of frequent
demonstrations by various local groups.  Although not specifically directed
at foreigners, these demonstrations have resulted in occasional
confrontations between police and demonstrators in which tear gas and force
have been used.  Visitors to Bolivia are advised to avoid any area in which
demonstrations are in progress.  Strikes and various kinds of civic actions
can occur at any time and may result in disruption of transportation on a
local or national level.

Civil Aviation Oversight:  In January 1994, the U.S. Federal Aviation
Administration assessed Bolivia's civil aviation authority as not in
compliance with international aviation safety oversight standards for
Bolivia's carriers operating to and from the U.S.  While consultations to
correct the deficiencies are ongoing, air carriers licensed by Bolivia are
permitted to conduct limited operations to the U.S. subject to heightened
FAA surveillance.  The FAA is not providing heightened surveillance for
operations to destinations other than the U.S.  For further information,
travelers may contact the Department of Transportation at 1-800-322-7873.

Embassy Location/Registration:  Americans are encouraged to register with
the Consular Section of the American Embassy located in the Edificio Tobia,
Calle Potosi, corner with Calle Colon.  This is one block above the U.S.
Embassy which is located on Calle Colon.  The Consular Section telephone
number is (591-2) 356685.  There are also U.S. consular agencies in Santa
Cruz and Cochabamba which are open mornings only.  The agency in Santa Cruz
is located in the Edificio Oriente, Room 313, telephone [phone].
The agency in Cochabamba is located on Ave. Libertador Bolivar, Number 1724
Cala-Cala, telephone [phone].

No. 94-201

This updates the Consular Information Sheet dated June 24, 1994 by providing
information on aviation oversight.