Car rentals in Colombia - Safety and Security

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Safety and Security

SAFETY AND SECURITY: The security situation in Colombia is volatile. Violence by narcotraffickers, terrorist groups, and other criminal elements is widespread and increasing in certain areas. Travel by road outside the major cities is especially dangerous because of terrorist and organized criminal activity in rural areas.

Some terrorist groups have targeted foreigners, multinational companies and other foreign interests, and this pattern is expected to continue in the future. Random bombings have occurred in and around major urban areas, including attacks on civilian targets. A bombing at an exclusive social club in Bogotá on February 7, 2003, left 36 dead and 160 injured. The FARC directly targeted U.S. citizens in a terrorist attack on November 15, 2003 in an upscale entertainment area; the attack left one person dead and injured 73, including four U.S. citizens. Terrorist groups have also targeted public facilities and modes of transportation. While the Government of Colombia has instituted increased security measures around the tourist area in the colonial, walled part of Cartagena frequented by cruise line passengers, U.S. citizens and interests in Cartagena have been specifically identified as viable targets in the past.

Kidnapping for ransom occurs more often in Colombia than in any other country in the world, and affects all parts of the country, especially rural areas. Since the year 2000, 27 American citizens, mostly dual nationals, were reported kidnapped. Of these, their captors released most after a ransom was paid. Colombian authorities rescued one. American kidnap or murder victims have included journalists, missionaries, scientists, human rights workers and businesspeople, as well as persons on tourism or family visits, and even small children. No one can be considered immune on the basis of occupation, nationality, or any other factor. Because of widespread terrorist activity and U.S. policy that opposes concessions to terrorists, the U.S. Government can provide only limited assistance in these cases. Under Colombian law, those who fail to coordinate their efforts to resolve kidnapping cases with the Office of the Anti-Kidnapping Director (Ministerio de Defensa/Programa Para la Defensa de la Libertad Personal) could face criminal prosecution.

The Secretary of State has designated the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the National Liberation Army (ELN), and the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. The FARC and ELN have kidnapped U.S. citizens on a number of occasions. Three U.S. citizens kidnapped by the FARC were murdered in March 1999.

In-country travel by U.S. Embassy employees, both official and private, to most destinations, is subject to strict limitations and reviewed case by case. Bus transportation is off-limits to U.S. Embassy personnel. U.S. Embassy personnel are have been on occasion prohibited from frequenting the Zona Rosa or Parque 93, Bogotá’s principal nightclub/entertainment districts, due to the possibility that they could become the targets of crime and/or violence.

The U.S. Embassy must approve in advance the official travel to Colombia of all U.S. Government personnel. Such travel is approved only for essential business. Private travel by U.S. military personnel to Colombia requires advance approval by the U.S. Embassy. Non-military employees of the U.S. Government do not need Embassy approval for private travel, but such employees are urged to avoid non-essential travel to Colombia.

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings and Public Announcements can be found.

The Overseas Citizens Services call center at 1-888-407-4747 can answer general inquiries on safety and security overseas. This number is available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Callers who are unable to use toll-free numbers, such as those calling from overseas, may obtain information and assistance during these hours by calling 1-317-472-2328.