Talking Points: Colombia (April 5, 2016)
Talking Points – Colombia
Copyright © 2016 – Travel Leaders Group LLC. All rights reserved.
The following Talking Points can be used in conversations with the media and clients who have
questions about travel to Colombia. (Updated April 5, 2016)
1. While the U.S. State Department has updated its Travel Warning for Colombia, it does
not explicitly warn Americans against traveling there. Instead it “encourages Americans
to exercise caution and remain vigilant.”
2. Colombia has also been included in travel alerts issued by the CDC for two mosquitoborne
viruses – Zika and chikungunya. In particular, pregnant women should be aware of
the risks associated with Zika.
3. Since the safety of our clients is our top priority, we provide them with the facts so
they can make informed decisions about their travel plans.
Below you will find additional information, supporting material and statistics to help further
illustrate each talking point.
1. While the U.S. State Department has updated its Travel Warning for Colombia, it does
not explicitly warn Americans against traveling there. Instead it “encourages Americans
to exercise caution and remain vigilant.”
On April 5, 2016, the U.S. State Department updated its Travel Warning for Colombia to
“strongly encourages U.S. citizens to exercise caution and remain vigilant as terrorist
and criminal activities remain a threat throughout the country..”
On the positive side, the Travel Warning notes:
o “Tens of thousands of U.S. citizens safely visit Colombia each year for tourism,
business, university studies, and volunteer work.”
o “Security in Colombia has improved significantly in recent years, including in
tourist and business travel destinations such as Bogota, Cartagena, Barranquilla,
Medellin, and Cali.”
o “There have been no reports of U.S. citizens targeted specifically for their
nationality.”
However, the Travel Warning also notes:
o “Violence linked to narco-trafficking continues to affect some rural and urban
areas.”
o “Despite significant decreases in overall crime in Colombia, continued vigilance is
warranted due to an increase in recent months of violent crime, including crime
resulting in the deaths of American citizens.”
o “While the U.S. Embassy has no information regarding specific and credible
threats against U.S. citizens in Colombia, both the Revolutionary Armed Forces
of Colombia – People’s Army (FARC) and National Liberation Army (ELN)
terrorist groups continue to condemn any U.S. influence in Colombia.”
o “Explosions occur throughout Colombia on a regular basis, including in Bogota.”
o “Small towns and rural areas of Colombia can be extremely dangerous due to the
presence of terrorists and criminal elements, including armed gangs (referred to
as “BACRIM” in Spanish), that are active throughout much of the country.
Violence associated with the BACRIM has spilled over into many of Colombia’s
major cities. These groups are heavily involved in the drug trade, extortion,
kidnapping, and robbery.”
o “Violence associated with crime is a threat throughout Colombia. During the
period November 2014 to January 2016, there were several homicides of U.S.
citizens in connection with robberies, including armed robbery on streets and in
taxi cabs, public transport, home invasions, and muggings. The victims
represented a mix of tourists, long-term residents and persons with dual U.S.-
Colombian citizenship.”
o “The incidence of kidnapping in Colombia has diminished significantly from its
peak in 2000. However, kidnapping remains a threat. Terrorist groups and other
criminal organizations continue to kidnap and hold civilians, including foreigners,
for ransom. No one is immune from kidnapping on the basis of occupation,
nationality, or other factors.”
For more detailed information on staying safe in Colombia, please see the State
Department’s Country Specific Information for Colombia. For the latest security
information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Bureau of
Consular Affairs’ internet web site, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel
Warnings, and Travel Alerts can be found. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of
Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well.
2. Colombia has also been included in travel alerts issued by the CDC for two mosquitoborne
viruses – Zika and chikungunya. In particular, pregnant women should be aware of
the risks associated with Zika.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) “has issued a travel alert (Level
2-Practice Enhanced Precautions) for Colombia, as well as other Latin American
countries, related to the Zika virus.
o “Zika virus is spread to people through mosquito bites. The most common
symptoms of Zika virus disease (Zika) are fever, rash, joint pain, and red eye.
The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting from several days to a week.
Severe disease requiring hospitalization is uncommon,” according to the CDC.
o “Local mosquito transmission of Zika virus infection (Zika) has been reported in
Colombia. Local mosquito transmission means that mosquitoes in the area are
infected with Zika virus and are spreading it to people.”
o “Because Zika virus is primarily spread by mosquitoes, CDC recommends that
travelers to Colombia protect themselves from mosquito bites. The mosquitoes
that spread Zika usually do not live at elevations above 6,500 feet (2,000 meters)
because of environmental conditions. Travelers whose itineraries are limited to
areas above this elevation are at minimal risk of getting Zika from a mosquito.
The following map shows areas of Colombia above and below 6,500 feet.* For
more information, see Questions and Answers: Zika risk at high elevations.”
The CDC specifically warns pregnant women of the risks associated with Zika:
o “Zika virus can be spread from a pregnant woman to her fetus, and infection is
linked to a serious birth defect of the brain called microcephaly and other poor
pregnancy outcomes. CDC recommends special precautions for the following
groups:
“Women who are pregnant should not travel to any area of Colombia below
6,500 feet. If you must travel to one of these areas, talk to your doctor first
and strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites during your trip. If your
itinerary is limited entirely to areas above 6,500 feet, there is minimal risk of
getting Zika from a mosquito. If you have a male partner who lives in or has
traveled to an area with Zika, either use condoms or do not have sex
(vaginal, anal, or oral) during your pregnancy.”
“Women who are trying to become pregnant. Before you or your male
partner travel, talk to your doctor about your plans to become pregnant and
the risk of Zika virus infection. You and your male partner should strictly
follow steps to prevent mosquito bites.”
Men who have traveled to an area with Zika and have a pregnant partner
should use condoms or not have sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) during the
pregnancy.
A “Level 1 – Watch” has been issued for Colombia by the CDC, because of the chikungunya
virus (pronunciation: \chik-en-gun-ye). Chikungunya is transmitted to people by mosquitoes.
o “The most common symptoms of chikungunya virus infection are fever and joint pain.
Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash.”
A CDC “Level 1: Watch” for travelers is its lowest level “Travel Health Notice,” which
means to “practice usual precautions.” However, the CDC indicates that “some travelers
may be more likely to get chikungunya, have severe disease or be at higher risk for
other reasons. CDC advises travelers in high-risk groups to discuss their travel plans
with their health care provider. These groups include the following:
o People who have arthritis
o People with serious underlying medical conditions (such as high blood pressure,
heart disease or diabetes)
o People older than 65
o Women who are late in their pregnancies, because of the risk to babies born at
the time when their mother is sick
o Long-term travelers, including missionaries and humanitarian aid workers and
people visiting friends and relatives
o People who might have difficulty avoiding mosquito bites, such as those planning
to spend a lot of time outdoors or staying in rooms without screens or air
conditioning.
3. Since the safety of our clients is our top priority, we provide them with the facts so
they can make informed decisions about their travel plans.
While no one can say with certainty that any destination is 100% safe, we strongly
encourage our clients to use care and common sense – no matter where they travel – to
maximize their safety and security. For example:
o Leave your itinerary, and passport data page, with a friend or family member
back home so you can be contacted in case of an emergency.
o Know and respect the laws in the country you are visiting.
o Follow your instincts and avoid any areas or situations that seem as though they
could become dangerous.
o Remain alert to their surroundings at all times.
o Avoid all demonstrations, as even peaceful ones can quickly become unruly and
a foreigner could become a target of harassment. If caught unexpectedly near a
demonstration, obey instructions from police and leave the area as quickly as
possible.
o Ask tour guides and hotel officials about any planned demonstrations in the
locations they plan to visit.
o Do not display expensive looking jewelry, large amounts of money or other
valuable items. Also, do not leave luggage unattended in public areas and do not
accept packages from strangers.
o Check with your cell phone provider prior to departure to see if your phone is
capable of roaming on GSM or 3G/4G international networks.
o Check your medical insurance coverage to make sure it applies overseas. If it
doesn’t, consider buying travel insurance that covers overseas medical attention
and medical evacuation.
We closely monitor the U.S. Department of State website for travel alerts as well as the
more severe travel warnings for all destinations, including those that are most popular
with our clients.
o The U.S. State Department also offers a helpful Traveler’s Checklist that
provides additional travel tips.
o We highly recommend that U.S. citizens follow the advice of the State
Department and register their international travel plans at
https://step.state.gov/step. By entering information into the Smart Traveler
Enrollment Program (STEP), the Department of State can better assist travelers
in an emergency.
o Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 888-407-4747
toll-free in the United States and Canada or 202-501-4444 from other countries.
These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through
Friday, Eastern Time (except U.S. federal holidays). Should we become aware of
an issue for a specific destination, we alert clients who may be planning to travel
there so they can determine for themselves if they still wish to travel.
Also, should we become aware of an issue for a specific destination where a client is
currently located; we try to immediately contact the client to check on their well-being
and work to assist them if they require alternate travel arrangements.