U.S. authorities have issued a security alert advising travelers to reconsider visiting the Valle del Cauca Department in Colombia due to high levels of violent crime and terrorist activity. The alert notes that armed robbery and murder are common in the region, and terrorist groups are active in some areas.
"Reconsider travel to this area. Violent crime, like armed robbery and murder, is common. Terrorist groups are active in some areas. Due to current risks, some U.S. government employees working in Colombia are prohibited from traveling to this area. For more information about staying safe in Colombia, please consult the Country Information Page at travel.state.gov," states the advisory.
The warning comes as part of ongoing efforts by U.S. officials to inform citizens about safety concerns abroad. Some U.S. government employees assigned to Colombia have been barred from traveling to Valle del Cauca due to these risks.
Travelers seeking more details on safety precautions can refer to the U.S. State Department’s Country Information Page for Colombia (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Colombia.html). The embassy also encourages Americans visiting or residing in Colombia to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program for real-time security updates.
Assistance is available through several channels:
- The U.S. Embassy in Bogota can be reached at +57-1-275-2000 or 601-275-2000, or via email at acsbogota@state.gov.
- The Consular Agency in Barranquilla can be contacted at conagencybarranquilla@state.gov.
- For general consular affairs, contact numbers include 1-888-407-4747 or 1-202-501-4444.
Additional resources and updates can be found on the official website (https://co.usembassy.gov/) as well as through embassy social media accounts on Facebook and Twitter.