TRAVEL REPORT
Colombia 22/3/2002

The Consular Affairs Bureau of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) provides: (a) destination-specific Travel Reports and (b) weekly Travel Bulletins highlighting current "hot spots" and time-sensitive information.

Current information is available from the Department through the following means: telephone: 1-800-267-6788 or 613-944-6788; e-mail: voyage@dfait-maeci.gc.ca; Web site: www.voyage.gc.ca/destinations/menu_e.htm; FaxCall: 1-800-575-2500 or 613-944-2500; and TTY: 613-944-1310. Information may also be obtained from Canadian diplomatic offices overseas.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

NOTE: This is a formal notice issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of the Canadian government to advise Canadians not to travel to this country. Further details are in the "ATTENTION" section below.

ATTENTION

Canadians should not travel to Colombia until further notice, except for visits to the major resorts of Cartagena and San Andrés Island (see below). Peace talks between the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) officially ended on February 21, 2002. The armed forces have begun a military offensive to take control of the demilitarised zone granted to the FARC rebel group in 1998. The situation remains tense and unpredictable. Violence could escalate in the coming weeks. Canadians in Colombia should register and maintain close contact with the Canadian Embassy Bogotá (see below).

Violence against foreigners has occurred in all regions of Colombia, both urban and rural. The situation is expected to deteriorate further since illegal groups have stepped up their attacks against villages. Incidents of car bombings have increased in Bogotá and in Medellín, and visitors should exercise additional caution. The risk of kidnapping is very high; kidnappings reached a record level of 3,271 in 2000. A Canadian was kidnapped in November 2000, while travelling in northwest Colombia. He was released in early December following negotiations. Mass murders have occurred in national parks, which are often convenient hideouts for illegal groups. Avoid all national parks, wildlife refuges and big-city outskirts.

There is an increased risk of roadblocks set up by peasant groups, illegal paramilitaries and the rebel FARC and ELN. This risk applies throughout rural Colombia; roads between Bogotá and Medellín and between Bogotá and Villavicencio are particularly high-risk, as is the entire Magdalena Medio region (near Bucaramanga and Barrancabermeja). A recent wave of car-bombings has occured in tourist locations in Cundinamarca and Tolima departments, within 100 km of Bogotá. Please see the Annex at the end of this report for additional security advice.

Political rallies, demonstrations, and strikes could occur in the lead-up to presidential elections in April 2002. Canadians should monitor local news reports and avoid large gatherings and demonstrations.

GENERAL CONDITIONS

Colombia (capital: Bogotá) is located in the northern part of South America, bordered by the Caribbean Sea, Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Panama, and the Pacific Ocean. Spanish is the official language. The local currency is the Colombian peso.

San Andres Island and Cartagena tourist resort areas have the highest level of security in Colombia. Criminal activity and violence directed at tourists are low, and comparable to other Caribbean destinations. Travellers should exercise common sense precautions. Please see the Annex for security advice about travelling in Colombia.

Criminal and drug mafia activity are major threats. Rural areas throughout Colombia present the highest levels of danger due to drug mafia, guerrilla, and paramilitary activities. Since mid-1997, guerrilla and paramilitary activities have increased in intensity, and in 2000, kidnapping by guerrillas for the purpose of extortion reached unprecedented new levels. Robbery, burglary, car theft/hijacking, and extortion are quite common.

Petty and violent crime is prevalent in virtually all urban centers including Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, and Bucaramanga. Canadians in these areas should pay very close attention to their surroundings (keeping out of areas known to be of higher risk) and practice sound security measures.

Colombia has the highest kidnapping rate in the world, and while this is primarily aimed at Colombians, foreigners are frequently targeted. In 2000, over 3,200 kidnappings were reported (a 7% increase over 1999), including approximately 50 foreigners. Canadians working in rural areas have been kidnapped. Canadians intending to work in Colombia should carefully consider the risks. Persons working for (or perceived to be working for) oil and mining companies have been especially targeted for kidnapping by both of Colombia's principal guerrilla groups, the ELN and the FARC.

Incidents of 'quickie kidnappings' have increased. Victims are usually picked up from the street and forced to withdraw funds from various bank machines (ATMs). Injuries have occurred if the victim did not cooperate. There have also been reports of individuals misrepresenting themselves as police officers approaching foreigners to "check" documents or foreign currency.

Guerrilla and paramilitary activities (i.e. banditry, paramilitary excesses, and violent military confrontation) pose a major risk to travellers in the Urabá region of Northern Antioquia, in the Guajira peninsula, in the south of Bolivar, in areas close to the Ecuadorean border, in the savannahs of the east in the Departments of Santander, Norte de Santander, and Cundinamarca, Tolima, and in the outskirts of Bogotá, Cali, Medellín, Barrancabermeja, and Bucaramanga. Surface travel through these areas should be avoided. The road from Bogotá to Villavicencio is particularly dangerous. Travel between cities is best done by air. Travel from Ecuador to the Colombian departments of NariÑo and Putumayo is discouraged since there have been major violent activities close to the border in these two departments.

In the past two years, guerrilla groups have stepped up their attacks on the Colombian government, the police, military officials, and their installations in many areas of the country. Illegal paramilitary groups have in turn targeted both guerrillas and elements of the civilian population suspected of sympathizing with them. There was heavy fighting in the Departments of Caqueta, Guaviare, Norte de Santander, Valle de Cauca, Cauca, Putumayo, and Tolima, as well as in the Urabá region and in Choco. Barrancabermeja and the far south of Bolívar Department should be avoided at all costs. There were several massacres in Barrancabermeja by paramilitary groups in 1998, 1999, and 2000.

Bombings do occur and are on the rise in urban centers. Favored targets are military and police vehicles and installations, banks, shopping centres, gas stations, and highway toll booths throughout Colombia.

Roads are in poor condition. Although limited laws do exist in Colombia to protect the safety of travellers on the roads, they are sporadically followed and rarely enforced.

The presence of guerrilla and paramilitary groups and common criminals in rural areas makes travel on these roads extremely dangerous. Guerrilla groups frequently establish roadblocks. Visitors are advised to travel by air only and not to enter or leave Colombia over land borders. Any unavoidable road travel should be by major routes only, and always during daylight hours.

Public transportation is not a safe alternative; buses and, to a lesser extent, taxis are frequent targets for criminals. Taxis should not be hailed on the street but should be booked through hotels. There are now authorized and controlled taxi centres where one can safely get a taxi.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required. The IDP is a special licence that allows travellers with a valid Canadian driver's licence to drive in over 160 countries without a specific test. The Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) is the sole issuer of the IDP in Canada. Contact your local CAA office to pick up an application or have one mailed to you; you can also download the application from the CAA Web site (CAA). An IDP is valid for one year from the date of issue.

Colombia is subject to various natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, torrential rains, and mudslides. There is no specific rainy season, and mudslides can occur throughout the year. Such natural disasters often result in loss of lives and disruption of travel.

Radio Canada International (RCI) broadcasts on shortwave to Colombia. For a schedule of times and frequency of broadcasts, check the RCI Web site (www.rcinet.ca). You may also e-mail RCI at rci@montreal.radio-canada.ca or call 514-597-7555.

For information on international adoption, contact the authorities of the province or territory in which the child will reside, as well as Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). Entry into Canada can be refused if the child does not hold an immigrant visa. Such a visa will not be issued without the prior approval of the province/territory of residency. Obtaining this approval from outside the country can be a difficult and lengthy process. Permission may be denied even if the adoption has been finalized overseas. For further information, call 1-888-242-2100 (in Canada only) or check the CIC Web site (www.cic.gc.ca).

You should:
a) carry a Canadian passport for all visits outside Canada, including to the USA. It should be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected return to Canada;
b) keep a photocopy of your passport's identification page with you;
c) carry passports, tickets, and money separately;
d) keep valuables and passports safe and carry only enough money for anticipated expenses;
e) leave a copy of your itinerary and proof of citizenship with family and/or friends;
f) carry legally certified documentation signed by both parents permitting a child under 18 to travel alone or with an adult (i.e. a relative or teacher), or carry legally certified documentation from the absent parent if only one parent escorts the child, in addition to a copy of any separation or divorce decree or death certificate; and
g) not visit unknown or isolated areas without first obtaining information or assistance.

Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not widely accepted worldwide. Check with your bank for information on ATM services in other countries. You can also check VISA or Mastercard for the addresses of ATMs around the world. Your bank can advise if you need a new personal identification number (PIN) for overseas access to your account. Due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity, credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution. If you use an ATM, do so during business hours at a location inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.

Canadian traveller's cheques are generally not cashable in Colombia. U.S. currency and traveller's cheques are widely accepted.

You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons.

Convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences and/or heavy fines. There are Canadians currently serving time in Colombia for drug-related offenses. Besides avoiding drugs altogether, you should never transport packages or change money for strangers.

Colombian law prohibits tourists and business travellers from bringing firearms into Colombia. The penalty for illegal importation or possession of firearms is 3 to 10 years in prison.

Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed below. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.

Canadians in Colombia can obtain consular assistance and further information from the Canadian Embassy in Bogotá at the following address:

Cra. 7, No. 115-33, Bogotá, Colombia (country code and area codes: 57-1/ tel.: 657-9800/ fax: 657-9912/ postal address: P.O. Box 110067, Bogotá, Colombia/ e-mail: bgota@dfait-maeci.gc.ca/ Web site: www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/bogota)

The Canadian Consulate in Cartagena also provides consular services. The address is as follows:

Edificio Centro Ejecutivo Bocagrande, Carrera 3, # 8-129, Oficina 1103, Cartagena, Colombia (country and area codes: 57-5/ tel.: 665-5838/ fax: 665-5837/ e-mail: honcartagena@ctgred.net.co).

Canadians should register with the Canadian Embassy in Bogotá if they are going to be in Colombia. Registration can be done on-line. To register on-line, please proceed to www.voyage.gc.ca/Consular-e/SOS/rocapage-e.htm and complete all the required fields.

For emergency assistance after hours, call the Canadian Embassy in Bogotá and follow the instructions. You may also call the Department in Ottawa toll-free at 980-9-19-0114 or use the services offered by Canada Direct.

If you are travelling on business, you can request a face-to-face briefing with an officer of the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service abroad to discuss the latest business developments in this market. To set up a meeting, contact the office of the Trade Commissioner Service responsible for this territory at least two weeks before your departure. Consult our Web site to learn more about our services, to access hundreds of market studies, or to contact us electronically (www.infoexport.gc.ca).