
STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL ADVISORY - Colombia
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COLOMBIA - WARNING
 February 13, 1992

Summary:  The Department of State recommends that U.S. citizens
exercise extra caution when traveling to Colombia.  While many U.S.
citizens who visit Colombia do so without incident, some parts of
the country (listed under "Dangerous Departments/Areas") are
dangerous and travelers should defer travel to those areas due to
guerrilla and criminal activities.  U.S. citizens should defer
travel to Pasto, Narino Department, as the nearby Galeras Volcano
may erupt.  In addition, travelers should take precautions in
several areas where cholera has been reported.  End Summary.

General Security:  Several terrorist/guerrilla groups are active
throughout the country.  Kidnapping for ransom or political purposes
is an ongoing threat in Colombia and sometimes U.S. citizens have
been held for ransom or for political purposes.  Although temporary
visitors have rarely been the targets of violence, caution should be
exercised to avoid becoming a victim of random violence.  Visitors
should avoid remote areas, take precautions against street crime in
major cities, and use only official taxis.  U.S. citizens should
also contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate for up-to-date security
information.

Recommended Precautions:
 -- Rural land travel and land travel by night should be avoided.
Due to the frequency of road extortion and kidnappings from rural
public transportation, U.S. citizens should in particular avoid
travel by bus.

 -- Visitors should be on guard against common criminals in major
cities, especially in the vicinity of major hotels and airports.

 -- In airports, visitors should guard against theft of hand
luggage and travel documents.  Illegal taxis, which are sometimes
characterized by two drivers and irregular markings, are dangerous.
Most airports and hotels have official taxi queues.

Dangerous Departments/Areas:  Travel to the following unsafe areas
should be avoided or only undertaken after consultation with the
Embassy or Consulate:
- Colombia east of the Andes (except the cities of Villavicencio in
the Meta Department and Leticia in the Amazonas Department and
adjacent tourist areas in Amazonas).
- All of Antioquia Department.
- 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.  Road travel should be
restricted to daylight hours.
- Road travel in Huila and Cauca Departments.  The cities of Neiva
and Popayan are safe but should be reached by air only.

Those cities or areas not listed in the previous paragraph are
considered generally safe to visit.  However, U.S. citizens are
encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate for specific
up-to-date information.

Galeras Volcano:  According to Colombian and U.S. vulcanologists
who are closely monitoring the situation, the Galeras Volcano near
Pasto, Narino Department, may erupt.  As a result, U.S. citizens
should defer travel to Pasto until the danger of an eruption is
over.  Colombian government agencies, assisted by U.S. Geological
Survey experts, are closely monitoring the volcano's activity.  The
Colombian government believes that when Galeras, which has erupted
every 30 years or so, does erupt this time, the greatest danger to
Pasto will be from hot gases and rocks and not from catacylsmic lava
flows.  The Colombian government therefore does not believe an
evacuation of Pasto will be necessary and is not recommending one.
Colombian civil defense teams have instructed the populace on
protective measures.

Cholera:  Cases of cholera have been reported in the Pacific coast
departments of Cauca, Narino, Valle del Cauca (including the cities
of Buenaventura and Cali), as well as a few cases in the
southern/eastern Departments of Amazonas and Guaviare.  Although the
largest Colombia cities and tourist areas remain largely unaffected,
travelers in these regions should substitute bottled beverages for
potentially contaminated water.  Shellfish and vegetables should be
well-cooked; all cooked food should be eaten while still hot; and
fruit should be peeled.  For further information, contact the
Centers for Disease Control's International Travelers Hotline on
[404] 332-4559.

Additional Information:  U.S. citizens should seek the latest
travel information and register with the American Citizen Services
Unit of the U.S. Embassy in Bogota, Calle 38 No. 8-61, at 285-1300
(ext. 206 or 215) or with the Consulate in Barranquilla, Calle 77,
Carrera 68, Centro Comercial Mayorista, at 457-088.  Registration
facilitates the provision of any emergency services that may be
required.

 No. 92-023

This replaces the advisory dated December 19, 1991 by updating the
section on dangerous departments and areas.

