Security Message for US Citizens: Risk of Increased Crime During Holidays
The U.S. Embassy reminds U.S. citizens in Colombia of the risk of crime throughout Colombia, including violent crime. Robbery and other violent crimes are common throughout Colombia. Firearms are prevalent in Colombia, and muggings or robberies can quickly turn violent. Criminal activity may increase during the holidays, especially in and around shopping areas.
The embassy is not aware of any threats against U.S. citizens specifically, but has received multiple reports recently of U.S. citizens mugged at knifepoint, and of U.S. citizens being robbed at gunpoint while in vehicles leaving the Medellin and Cali airports. The Colombian media widely reported on the armed robbery inside the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in the Chico neighborhood of Bogota on November 10. In this event, seven people entered the church and identified themselves as police before robbing everyone inside the church at gunpoint.
The embassy advises U.S. citizens to exercise caution and to be aware of their surroundings. U.S. citizens should remain as calm as possible in a mugging or robbery, and should comply with the demands of the assailants if possible. Material items such as money, phones, and jewelry should be handed over quickly.
The embassy can assist U.S. citizen victims of violent crime to make a police report and to replace U.S. passports when necessary.
For further information:
· See the State Department's travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and ColombiaCountry Specific Information.
· Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. Contact the U.S. Embassy in Colombia,located at Carrera 45, # 24B-27, Bogota, D.C., by email at acsbogota@state.gov or by telephone at +571-1 275-2000, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Non-emergency services are offered by appointment. After-hours emergency number for U.S. citizens is also +571-1 275-2000. The Embassy operates a Consular Agency in Barranquilla, Colombia which also provides assistance to U.S. citizens. The Barranquilla Consular Agency is located at Calle 77B No. 57-141, suite 511, tel. (575) 353-2001. Hours are 8:00 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday. You can schedule a non-emergency service by calling the Consular Agency.
· Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
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