Colombia - Travel Warning
April 17, 2001

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens against travel to Colombia. Violence by narcotraffickers, guerrillas, illegal self-defense (paramilitary) groups and other criminal elements continues to affect all parts of the country, both urban and rural. Citizens of the United States and other countries continue to be the victims of threats, kidnappings, domestic airline hijackings and murders. Threats targeting American citizens are expected to continue and possibly increase in response to U.S. support for Colombian drug eradication programs. Colombian groups have been known to operate in the border areas of neighboring countries, creating similar dangers for travelers in those areas. U.S. citizens of all age groups and occupations, both tourists and residents, have been victimized. Bombings have occurred throughout Colombia, including in urban areas, and some foreign interests have been among the targets.

More than 3,000 people are kidnapped each year throughout Colombia, and there is a greater risk of being kidnapped in Colombia than in any other country in the world. In the past 20 years, nearly 120 American citizens have been kidnapped in both individual incidents and large group hostage situations. At least 14 American kidnapping victims have been murdered. Most kidnappings of U.S. citizens in Colombia have been committed by guerrilla groups, including the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN), which were both designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations by the Secretary of State in October 1997. Since it is U.S. policy not to pay ransom or make other concessions to terrorists, the U.S. Government's ability to assist kidnapped U.S. citizens is limited.

For further information concerning travel to Colombia, travelers should consult the Department of State's latest Consular Information Sheet for Colombia at http://travel.state.gov/colombia.html.

This replaces the January 28, 2000 Travel Warning for Colombia to update information on threats and kidnapping.