A large demonstration is planned for Friday, October 24, at 4 p.m. in Plaza de Bolivar, the main square in Bogota, Colombia. The U.S. Embassy in Bogota has issued an alert about the event, noting that local authorities will increase security presence in the city center. The demonstration is expected to cause traffic disruptions during the afternoon and evening.
Due to the planned protest, the U.S. Embassy in Bogota will close early at 3:00 p.m. on October 24 and will not be available for walk-in services after that time. Appointments scheduled earlier in the day will proceed as planned.
The embassy advises individuals to avoid crowds and protests, remain aware of their surroundings, wear little or no jewelry, carry few valuables, keep a low profile, avoid using cell phones in public, not physically resist robbery attempts, keep car doors locked and windows rolled up, and monitor local news for updates.
For assistance, individuals can contact the U.S. Embassy in Bogota by phone at +57-1-275-2000 or 601-275-2000 or through its website at https://co.usembassy.gov/. Additional resources include the U.S. Consular Agency in Barranquilla (conagencybarranquilla@state.gov), the U.S. Department of State – Consular Affairs (1-888-407-4747 or 1-202-501-4444), and Colombia Country Information pages online. Travelers are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program for security updates and follow embassy updates on Facebook and Twitter.