Bus transportation is off limits to U.S. Embassy personnel. The official travel of all U.S. Government personnel to Colombia must be approved in advance by the U.S. Embassy. While private travel by U.S. Government employees does not require Embassy approval, such employees are strongly urged to avoid all non-essential travel to Colombia. U.S. citizens arrested in Colombia for possession, use or trafficking in illegal drugs have experienced several months detention in jail before their cases are processed, followed by lengthy trials, fines and jail sentences served in sub-standard prisons. Colombian law prohibits tourists and business travelers from importing or bringing firearms into Colombia.
Road travel is dangerous throughout Colombia, particularly in the rural areas.
Travel by road outside the major cities is especially dangerous because of guerrilla activity in the countryside. As noted previously in the section on violence, guerrilla activity is increasing, and violence may increase as the elections take place in May 1998. Traffic laws and lights are often ignored, particularly during late night and early morning hours, and speed limits are usually non-existent. Carjackings have occurred on urban streets. Road travel at night is dangerous due to poor illumination and other road hazards, such as potholes, unmarked road work, wandering livestock, stalled vehicles and vehicles without lights.