The U.S. State Department warns travelers in Colombia that small towns
and rural areas “can still be extremely dangerous due to the presence
of narco-terrorists,” despite significant improvement in security.
According to the latest update, “violence by narco-terrorist groups continues to affect some rural areas as well
as large cities” and “the potential for violence by terrorists and other criminal elements exists in all parts of the country.”
The travel warning highlights the bombings that took place in Bogotá, Cali and Neiva over the past few months and warns U.S. citizens traveling in Colombia that “terrorist groups such as the Revolutionary Armed
Forces of Colombia (FARC), the National Liberation Army (ELN), and
other criminal organizations continue to kidnap and hold civilians for
ransom or as political bargaining chips.”
The State Department advises all intercity travel should be done by air and only visit the country’s major cities.