The U.S. Department of State renewed its travel advisory for Colombia Tuesday, saying that although conditions have improved a terrorist threat remains.
“Security in Colombia has improved significantly in recent years, including in tourist and business travel destinations such as Cartagena and Bogota, but violence by narco-terrorist groups continues to affect some rural areas and large cities,” states the updated travel warning.
The advisory recalls two 2011 incidents of bombings in Bogota, neither of which caused fatalities. It goes on to say that “while the Embassy possesses no information concerning specific and credible threats against U.S. citizens in Colombia, we strongly encourage you to exercise caution and remain vigilent.”
It warns that although kidnappings have become less frequent, “no one is immune from kidnapping on the basis of occupation, nationality, or other factors.” In 2011, one US citizen was kidnapped and released and another was abducted and murdered. The statement makes it clear that it is US policy not to negotiate with kidnappers saying that “the US government’s ability to assist kidnapping victims is limited.”
It concludes by recommending that US citizens travel by air and warns not travel by road outside of urban areas at night.