Newsgroup: it.hobby.viaggi
Titolo: Colombia Avviso di Sicurezza

Still Current at: 30 September 2002  
Updated: 30 September 2002  
 
 Colombia 
 
SUMMARY
Violence and kidnapping are serious problems, and all foreign
nationals are potential targets. Visitors to Colombia should be
vigilant and take sensible precautions. Visitors should also be aware
that the peace talks between the Colombian government and the main
guerrilla group, the FARC, have now collapsed in February 2002. 
We advise against all travel to Choco, Putumayo, Meta and Caqueta
provinces and to rural areas of Antiquia, Cauca, Narino and Norte de
Santander provinces. 
SAFETY AND SECURITY
Violence is a serious problem in Colombia. There is widespread
guerrilla and paramilitary activity in many areas of the country.
In 1999 three US citizens were kidnapped and killed. Six British
citizens have been kidnapped in the last four years, including one who
was subsequently killed. Backpackers are as likely to be kidnapped as
expatriates working for multinationals, and there is no guarantee that
foreigners who are kidnapped will be released unharmed.
For tourists and short-term visitors, especially in urban areas,
common crime, muggings and pickpocketing, often accompanied by
violence, are likely to be a greater danger than getting caught up in
guerrilla and paramilitary activity. But this may change with the
breakdown of peace talks. Foreign visitors present a tempting target
to thieves, pickpockets and drug traffickers. In the past, major
cities have occasionally been subject to upsurges in political
violence, including mass kidnappings from eg churches and restaurants.
The violence has escalated following the presidential elections.
Foreigners were not specifically targeted in past incidents but may be
in future. The new government, which took office in August 2002, has
declared a "State of Internal Disturbance", a legal tool to improve
the State's counter terrorism response, and one of minimal impact to
travellers. However, twenty-seven municipalities in the three
provinces of Arauca (three municipalities designated), Bolivar (nine
municipalities designated), and Sucre (fifteen municipalities
designated) have been designated "Zones of Rehabilitation and
Consolidation". These twenty-seven zones are now under the direct
command of the armed forces. Foreigners have to seek permission to
enter these zones, from the Ministry of Interior in the case of the
zones in Bolivar and Sucre provinces, and from the Governor of Arauca
in the case of the zones in Arauca province. Apart from the provincial
capitals of Sincelejo in Sucre province, and Arauca in Arauca
province, both of which are included in the zones, these zones are not
accessible by air and should not be visited. The provincial capital of
Bolivar province, Cartagena, is not affected by the new measures.
Visitors should beware of unsolicited approaches from strangers. There
have been several cases of assailants using drugs to subdue their
intended victims. Drugs can be administered through food, drinks,
needles, cigarettes, aerosols, or powder. Sometimes drugs are
administered in food sold by low class takeaways. The drugs take
effect extremely quickly, allowing an assailant to rob the victim and
escape before the attack can be reported. It can take several days for
the drug to wear off and the victim to recover. These attacks
frequently occur on public transport, where travellers should never
accept offers of food, drink or cigarettes from strangers – no matter
how friendly or well dressed the individual appears.
There have been reports, including in Bogota, of bogus policemen
approaching foreigners to "check" documents or foreign currency.
Anyone approached should avoid handing over money or documents, unless
seriously threatened, and should ask the "policeman" to accompany them
back to their hotel or place of residence.
TERRORISM
Guerrilla and paramilitary attacks have increased recently, especially
in rural areas. The government have ended FARC’s tenure on a 42,000 sq
Km area in southern Colombia, ceded to them to facilitate the peace
process. The municipalities of Mesetas, San Juan de Arauca, La
Macarena, San Vicente de Caguan, Uribe and Vista Hermosa in Caqueta
and Meta Departments, formerly under control of the FARC, must be
regarded as too dangerous to visit.
LOCAL TRAVEL
Despite the internal security situation, business and tourist visits
to major cities in Colombia can be accomplished with relative ease and
minimal risk, subject to sensible precautions. In addition to Bogota,
important business centres include Medellin, Cali, Barranquilla,
Bucuramanga and Cartagena. Cartagena is a popular tourist destination
and venue for major conferences. 
Visitors should avoid poorer areas of cities and be cautious in city
streets, especially after dark. Taxis should not be hailed on the
street but should be booked through hotels.
Visitors should travel by air only and not enter or leave Colombia by
land borders. There have been highjackings of aircraft serving
secondary airports, where security measures do not meet the standards
obtained at the major city airports.
The risk of violence and kidnapping is high in rural areas, as is the
threat of being caught in illegal roadblocks. Any travel by road
ouside the major cities should be avoided. Clashes between guerrilla
groups and the Army, as well as between Police and drugs interests are
an almost daily occurrence in many Colombian provinces. Travel in
areas where illegal crops are grown and where illegal drugs are
processed represents an especially high risk.
Choco, Putumayo, Meta and Caqueta provinces should be avoided at all
costs. Two British backpackers were kidnapped in that Province's
border area with Panama in 2000, and a British backpacker was killed
near Quibdo, the provincial capital, in 2001. Rural areas of
Antioquia, Cauca, Narino and Norte de Santander are the most affected
by political/narcotic violence. The rural areas of these provinces
should also be avoided at all costs. The capitals of these provinces
may still be visited by air.
HEALTH
Visitors should take sensible medical precautions and advice should be
sought from your doctor before travelling. Travellers to Putumayo,
Meta and Caqueta Provinces must have yellow fever inoculation
certificates (but it is repeated that travel these three provinces
must be avoided at all costs). Visitors will be required to carry
their certificates by airlines serving these provinces. 
GENERAL
Visitors should pack all luggage themselves, and not carry items for
anybody else.
-
(riproduzione riservata)
Dice il saggio: tutto è bene ciò che finisce bene
N 38°06'26.5/ E 015°38'51.2   
http://www.admo.it

 accept offers of food, drink or cigarettes from strangers - no matter



http://eltiempo.terra.com.co/
    (Bogotà)
http://www.eluniversal.com.co/
       (Cartagena)
http://www.elheraldo.com.co/
   (Barranquilla)


non va bene (a meno che non sia S. Andres), per una compagnia anche
ristretta di 'avventurosi' (e non sprovveduti) va benissimo.


turbolenze. 
Accento con piacere questo tuo approfondimento, è sempre utile.
solo un suggerimento, cortesemete quando rispondi ad un messaggio,
potresti quotare meglio, grazie.
vincio :)



Ti consiglio ti riportare la fonte assieme ad ognuno di questi posts ;-))
Ufficio del garante!
;-)


scrive:

Ok  Capo :))
salutami la Chiaravalle

> salutami la Chiaravalle
ha passato un periodo un pò incasinato!
In agosto ha avuto degli ospiti a casa che la hanno un pò scombussolata e si
sta riprendendo solo ora.
Adesso è impegnata a preparare una gita aziendale sull'Aspromonte. Pare che
sia una specie di viaggio incentive per i vincitori di una speciale
classifica di merito.
Comunque se ho notizie te le riferisco.
Easy!

classifica di merito.
chissà se accetterebbe anche il vincitore del premio alla carriera :))


 ha scritto nel messaggio
news:1liipu4tqkpmhjd0s...@4ax.com...



ce l'ho qui vicino. appena si libera da alcuni impegni sento per la sua
disponibiltà in novembre :-)
Easy!

Se posso completare il discorso, vorrei dire che considero la colombia,
soprattutto dal punto di vista paesaggistico e naturalistico, uno dei posti
più belli del mondo.
Ho passato un mese bellissimo, in viaggio con un pass di cinque voli aerei
di Avianca attraverso paesaggi incredibili.
Cartagena coloniale, San Andres mare assoluto, Popayan vulcani e tradizione,
Leticia ed il parco di Amacayacu a letto in amaca in messo alla foresta
amazzonica, Momphos un posto incredibile fuori dal mondo raccontato da
Garcia Marquez, e Bogotà l'esatto contrario di ciò che si penserebbe a
sentire i media.
Non ostentare e non frequentare ambienti di prostitute e droga. Tutto qui. E
la vacanza sarà indimenticabile.
Dimenticavo, era il mio viaggio di nozze.
Micta