Colombia warning

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the dangers of travel in Colombia. While Colombia safety has improved considerably in recent years, violence by narco-terrorist groups continues to affect some rural areas and major cities. The potential of violence by terrorists and other criminals continues to exist in all regions of the country. It updates and replaces the warning for the Colombia published March 5, 2010 to update information about recent security incidents and criminal activities. Terrorist activity remains a threat throughout the country. On August 12, 2010, a car bomb exploded outside the station to radio Caracol in Bogota. Seven people were injured in the incident. October 21, 2010, the Colombian authorities claimed that they had foiled another car bomb attack carried out at the National administrative centre in Bogota. The same day, the Colombian Minister of defence Rodrigo Rivera informed the media of a threat of increased terrorist activity in Bogota by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), especially against the military, police and State officials. While the Embassy has no information regarding specific and credible threats against American citizens in Colombia, they are strongly encouraged to exercise caution and vigilance. In recent months he has been a marked increase in violent crime in Colombia. Murder rates increased significantly in some major cities, particularly Medellín and Cali.? Kidnapping remains a serious threat. American citizens have been victims of violent crimes, including the kidnapping and murder. Firearms are common currency in Colombia and altercations are often violent. Small towns and rural areas of the Colombia can still be extremely dangerous due to the presence of the narco-terrorists. Common crime also remains a significant problem in many urban and rural areas. For more details on the general criminal threat, please visit the Department of State information specific to the Colombia country. The incidence of the abduction in Colombia decreased significantly from its peak earlier in this decade. Nevertheless, terrorist groups such as the FARC, the army of national liberation (ELN) and other criminal organizations continue to kidnap and detain civilians for ransom or political. No one is immune to removal based on occupation, nationality or other factors. Removal in rural areas is of particular concern. July 2, 2008, the Colombian Government rescued 15 hostages, including three US citizens, who had been held for more than five years. Although the Government of the United States puts the priority on the safe recovery of the kidnapped Americans, it is the policy of the United States not to strike deals with the captors or make concessions. Therefore, the capacity of the Government of the United States to help victims is limited. Officials of American Government and their families in Colombia are allowed to travel to big cities of the country, but normally only by aircraft. They may not use inter or intra city bus transportation or travel by road outside of urban areas, in the night. All American citizens in Colombia are encouraged to follow these precautions. U.S. citizens living or travelling in Colombia are encouraged to register with the Embassy of the United States via the website of the Department of State (https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/index.aspx) for updated information on travel and security within the Colombia. The Embassy of the United States is located in Calle 24 Bis No. 48-50, Bogota, D.C. in Colombia. Mailing address: Carrera 45 No. 24 b - 27 Bogota, D.C. Colombia. Serious emergency which endangers the health or safety of a U.S. citizen in Colombia, please call the Embassy at (571) 315-0811. Embassy fax: (571) 315-2197. Consular Section telephone: (571) 315-1566. The citizens American Embassy Services Office provides current information to http://bogota.usembassy.gov. For questions is not answered there, inquiries may be sent by email to ACSBogota@state.gov. United States in Barranquilla-consular agency, that accepts passport applications and performs notarial services, is located at 77 Calle b, n ° 57-141, Piso 5, Centro Empresarial Las Americas, Barranquilla, Atlantico, in Colombia. Phone (575) 353-2001; Fax (011-57-5) 353-5216. The consular agency does not use to respond to emergency situations after hours; emergency in the region of the North Coast Barranquilla, please contact the Embassy in Bogota at (571) 315-0811. The Department develops information about potential security threats to the citizens of the United States overseas, it shares credible threats through its documents of Information available on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov, consular services program. U.S. citizens should consult the prefect messages for the Colombia to the http://bogota.usembassy.gov/acs_wardenmessage.html, and countries of the Department of State information specific to the Colombia and the disclaimer in the world at http://travel.state.gov. Passenger U.S. can obtain the updated information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 without charge to the United States and the Canada or, for the appellants, on a regular toll-free at 1-202-501-4444.