State Dept. Warns U.S. Citizens to Avoid Traveling to Colombia

(Cites deteriorating security situation, increased risk of violence)
(360)

The U.S. Department of State issued a public announcement on February
22, cautioning that "the security situation in Colombia has worsened
in the aftermath of the collapse of peace talks" between the Colombian
government and armed rebels.

Because of the "likelihood of increased terrorist violence in
Colombia," the State Department said, U.S. citizens are warned to
"avoid all travel to Colombia" at this time.

Following is the text of the public announcement, with further
details:

(begin text)

Public Announcement

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman

COLOMBIA

February 22, 2002

The security situation in Colombia has worsened in the aftermath of
the collapse of peace talks between the government and rebels.

On February 20, Colombian President Andres Pastrana announced that
peace talks with the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia
(FARC) had ended and that the armed forces would re-establish
government control over the demilitarized zone in southern Colombia.
As a result of these developments, there is a likelihood of increased
terrorist violence in Colombia.

The Department of State reaffirms its warning that American citizens
avoid all travel to Colombia. Americans already residing or traveling
in Colombia are advised to exercise increased caution and vigilance
under the current circumstances. Any suspicious activity should be
reported immediately to the appropriate Colombian authorities.
American citizens in Colombia may contact the U.S. Embassy via
telephone at 571-315-0811 during work hours, or 571-315-2109/10 after
hours, if assistance is required.

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

This Public Announcement supplements the April 17, 2001, Colombia
Travel Warning and the April 18, 2001, Consular Information Sheet for
Colombia to reflect the worsening security situation in the country
following the collapse of peace talks between the government and
rebels. This Public Announcement expires on May 21, 2002.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)