Colombia is a secure journey vacation spot so long as you keep acutely aware of the areas the place you might be visiting and strolling.
As a rule of thumb, don’t journey to that distant paradise or jungle vacation spot you noticed on-line if an area tells you to not. Many of the unlucky conditions which have occurred to vacationers in Colombia are on account of vacationers going to locations towards the locals’ recommendation.
With a seven-color sea (San Andrés), a rainbow river (Caño Cristales) and 54,871 registered species, 3,625 of them distinctive on the earth, Colombia is among the most wonderful locations in South America, and the nation with the second largest biodiversity within the planet.
LATEST UPDATES / NEWS from COLOMBIA:
June 7 – U.S. State Division points journey advisory replace for Colombia
Degree 3 – Rethink Journey to Colombia
The State Division reports that violent crime in Colombia has elevated sharply nationwide.
That is to the purpose {that a} journey ban has been imposed on sure places:
If U.S. vacationers run into bother in these places, restricted providers can be found to them in Arauca, Cauca and Norte de Santander.
The newest journey warning particularly warns towards touring close to the border between Venezuela and Colombia.
Might 5 – Colombia introduced a brand new “Safety, Protection and Citizen Coexistence,” coverage
The struggle towards deforestation is on the coronary heart of Colombia’s new safety technique, however there are nonetheless various obstacles in the way in which of its execution.
Within the policy of “Safety, Protection and Citizen Coexistence,” introduced by the Ministry of Protection on April 25, the idea of safety was expanded to incorporate environmental safety. The primary objectives are to fight unlawful mining, handle local weather change and cease deforestation.
The struggle towards deforestation shall be led by native communities. The authorities will deal with those that finance deforestation as a substitute of arresting small farmers.
March 21 – Colombian president accuses Clan del Golfo of breaking ceasefire
The Clan del Golfo, the nation’s largest prison group, has broken a ceasefire, in line with Colombian President Gustavo Petro, and if the assaults proceed, there shall be no probability for negotiations.
The Clan has been implicated in Colombia’s inside violence, which has claimed no less than 450,000 lives.
In a radio interview, Petro blamed the gang for the destruction of an city aqueduct in Antioquia province as a part of roadblocks associated to protests by casual gold miners.
As much as 300,000 folks have been affected by the barricades in 12 cities in two provinces, inflicting shortages of meals, medication and gas. Many of the limitations had been eliminated by police final week.
Necessary tricks to maintain in mind when touring to Colombia
- Keep away from crowds and protest areas.
- Keep watch over native media for breaking information and alter your plans accordingly.
- Keep a modest profile.
- Keep watch over your environment.
- Enroll within the Sensible Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to obtain Alerts and make it less complicated for emergency personnel to find you.
- Observe the State Division on Fb and Twitter.
- Study Colombia’s Nation Safety Report.
- Put together a backup plan in case of an emergency. Try the Traveler’s Guidelines.
Silleteros are again!
520 florists participated within the sixty fifth version of the Silleteros Parade 2022 on August 15, attended by 800,000 spectators unfold alongside one of many highways of the zero zone of Medellín.
This marked the return of bodily attendance on the occasion within the metropolis after two years of pandemic. The occasion highlights the farmers who got here down from the mountain carrying their merchandise. Right this moment, they’re lovely flower preparations that they carry alongside a route of two.4 km alongside the banks of the Medellin River.
Is it secure to journey to Bogotá?
Bogotá is the most important and most cosmopolitan metropolis in Colombia. Felony acts corresponding to terrorism are uncommon, however guests needs to be cautious of pickpockets,
Is it secure to journey to Medellin?
Medellin is the capital of Antioquia and the second largest metropolis within the nation. Once more, watch out for pickpockets, particularly in crowded areas.
Is it secure to journey to Cartagena?
Internationally acclaimed Cartagena is a really secure metropolis. Road distributors might attempt to rip you off for beer and different gadgets. However simply point out the police and costs shall be lowered.
Why go to Colombia in instances of COVID?
To start with, there are not any entry restrictions in Colombia. Additionally, there’s something for all sorts of vacationers. From the Caribbean seashores and Andean mountain peaks to rainforests and different pure wonders. And, in fact, espresso! In case you determine to go to Colombia this yr, the CDC recommends you be vaccinated.
Replace archives:
February 16 – LATAM Airways needs to amass Viva Air
LATAM, Latin America’s largest airline, has introduced its intention to acquire Colombian low-cost service Viva Air, changing into the third company within the area to take action.
LATAM Airways Colombia, a subsidiary of the Chile-based LATAM Airways Group, has introduced its personal plans to amass Viva Air.
“In a written communication to the president of Viva Air Colombia … the corporate has knowledgeable that any transaction is topic to a monetary evaluation (which might be carried out expeditiously), an settlement between the events, and the corresponding regulatory approvals,” LATAM mentioned in a press release late on Tuesday.
The announcement omitted any monetary information on the estimated worth of a possible deal.
January 26 – 215 social leaders had been murdered in Colombia in 2022
In accordance with the Colombian Ombudsman’s Workplace, a complete of 215 murders of social activists and human rights defenders had been dedicated in Colombia in 2022, a major improve from the 145 instances the earlier yr.
Because the Early Warning System started systematically logging these assaults in 2016, that is the yr with the very best variety of homicides. Official statistics present {that a} complete of 1,113 social leaders had been murdered throughout this era: 133 in 2016, 126 in 2017, 178 in 2018, 138 in 2020, and 145 in 2021.
«It’s anticipated that the dialogues with the ELN and the bilateral ceasefire with different unlawful armed teams may also imply a lower in actions towards social leaders and human rights defenders all through the nationwide territory and an finish to this example», mentioned the Ombudsman, Carlos Camargo in statements to the radio station Caracol Radio.
December 8 – Division of State ranks Colombia at degree 3 threat on account of rise in crime and terrorism
Colombia could also be shedding its popularity as the most effective South American locations for People due to quite a few allegations of crime, together with drug-related assaults and murders. A file variety of guests have been harmed this yr; as many as 25 folks have died whereas vacationing in Colombia because of the uptick in violence.
The U.S. authorities claims that People ought to “rethink” their journey to Colombia due to “crime and terrorism.” The Division of State has categorised all of Colombia as a Level 3, that means that safety is compromised, particularly in some “high-risk areas,” in contrast to most states in Mexico, which at the moment fall below the appropriate Degree 2 classification.
November 11 – President Petro requires “complete peace” to Colombia.
Since diplomatic ties between Colombia and Venezuela had been reduce in 2019, safety alongside the border has deteriorated drastically, inflicting a rise in combating and displacement as armed teams compete for the profitable illicit commerce in folks and items.
The Nationwide Liberation Military (ELN), the most important guerrilla group lively within the area, and the Colombian authorities plan to carry negotiations later this month, leaving folks on each side of the border optimistic that the decades-long cycle of warfare may be ended.
The primary direct talks in six years happened Nov. 1, when newly elected Colombian President Gustavo Petro met his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro in Caracas.
October 21 – 20 killed and 15 injured in Colombia bus accident
A bus overturned on the Pan-American Freeway in southwestern Colombia, killing no less than 20 folks and injuring 15 others.
The bus was touring between Tumaco, a port metropolis in southwestern Colombia, and the touristic metropolis of Cali, 320 kilometers northeast, when the tragedy occurred Saturday.
“Sadly, we’ve a toll of 20 folks useless,” mentioned Captain Albertland Agudelo of the Nariño division visitors police.
October – A whole lot of Environmental Defenders Had been Killed in Colombia within the Final Decade, in line with a current report.
In accordance with the latest study by the British human rights NGO World Witness, Colombia is the nation with the second highest variety of environmental leaders murdered within the final decade, after Brazil. Since 2012, a complete of 1,733 activists have been slain globally, with Latin America accounting for 68% of all incidents.
Few murderers are delivered to justice as a result of governments fail to correctly examine the murders. In accordance with the report, authorities both ignore or intentionally impede investigations into murders, usually “because of the collusion between company and state pursuits.”
“All around the world, Indigenous peoples and environmental defenders threat their lives for the struggle towards local weather change and biodiversity loss. Activists and communities play an important position as a primary line of defence towards ecological collapse,” mentioned Mike Davis, World Witness’ CEO.
September – 17 folks have been murdered over the past three days in Colombia
Authorities in Colombia mentioned no less than 17 folks have been killed in a collection of violent episodes in the course of the previous three days.
Six folks had been shot useless by gunmen Monday morning in a bar within the vacationer metropolis of Barranquilla on Monday morning.
In accordance with police, the assault on members of the rival drug trafficking group Los Costeños was perpetrated by the highly effective drug trafficking gang Gulf Clan.
A trainer, his spouse and two youngsters had been killed Sunday morning by a bunch of attackers within the Santander area within the north of the nation, in line with native authorities.
In an obvious act of revenge, 5 Venezuelan migrants accused of being concerned within the killings had been killed by vigilantes.
August – Two Dutch vacationers handed away in Cartagena
The mayor’s workplace of Cartagena reported the loss of life of Dutch vacationers Robert Gerrit Kootte and Nienke Guri Trishna Bawa, who’re the topic of an investigation by the Lawyer Normal’s Workplace.
In accordance with the knowledge identified up to now, the vacationers arrived within the metropolis on Saturday, August 20, and had been taken by the emergency room to the Medihelp clinic on Monday, the place they died.
On Monday night, the loss of life of the 29-year-old lady was registered, and on Tuesday morning her 31-year-old accomplice died.
In accordance with the primary variations, the vacationers, who had been within the metropolis since final weekend, would have died of poisoning.
The Honorary Consul is in touch with the household of the vacationers offering full help.
July – The nation is best than ever
After the presidential elections on June 19, 2022, the place a sure political unrest was anticipated given {that a} left-wing candidate gained for the primary time in historical past, the nation and its vacationer cities have remained calmer than ever.
These concerned with visiting can benefit from the nice present foreign money alternate that favors People and Europeans principally.
the climate is ideal and Colombians are comfortable to welcome vacationers again with open arms
June – Presidential elections in Colombia
Presidential elections had been held in Colombia on Might 29, 2022. Since not one of the presidential candidates obtained no less than 50% of the vote, a runoff election between the 2 main candidates, Gustavo Petro and Rodolfo Hernández Suárez, is scheduled for June 19, 2022.
That is the primary time {that a} left-wing candidate might win the presidency, which has by no means occurred earlier than within the nation’s political historical past. It’s, subsequently, to be anticipated that there shall be some political unrest after June 19.
Vacationers and different guests are suggested to take elevated safety precautions over the last 2 weeks of June.
Might – Armed strike in Colombia
On Thursday, Might 5, the Clan del Golfo, often known as the Gaitanista Self-Protection Forces of Colombia, known as a “4-day armed strike.”
The pamphlet acknowledged that it was forbidden to “open a enterprise of any variety” and to “use any technique of transportation.”
The assertion ended with the specter of “unfavorable penalties” for many who don’t adjust to these measures.
“Armed strikes” in Colombia are outlined as actions by unlawful armed teams, corresponding to guerrillas, paramilitaries or drug traffickers, through which they block roads, limit mobility, threaten business institutions and drive the suspension of lessons at faculties and universities.
The armed strike has ended for now, however authorities are asking the general public to train elevated precautions when touring to non-tourist cities within the coming weeks.
April 9 – Newest journey recommendation from the U.S. State Division
The U.S. State Division has issued a journey warning towards Colombia “on account of crime, terrorism, Covid-19, civil unrest and kidnapping,” which is true, in case you are visiting far-off locations or flung city ghettos that appear to draw some vacationers for the improper causes.
The discover additionally warns towards touring to the departments (states) of Norte de Santander and Cauca (we locals agree!), aside from Popayán (Cauca), often known as the “White Metropolis” (sure, in the identical sense because the Lord of the Rings).
Once more, in case you are in a metropolis, in a city close to a metropolis, or on the Colombian Atlantic coast, there isn’t any purpose why something unhealthy ought to occur to you.
December 26 – First instances of Omicron detected in Colombia
On Monday, December 20, the primary instances of the newly found Omicron variant had been confirmed in Colombia. They had been recognized in a U.S. citizen and two Colombians visiting Cartagena and Santa Marta.
It was confirmed that the instances got here from overseas – two from the U.S. and one from Spain. In the meanwhile, there isn’t any proof of neighborhood circulation.
Despite the fact that the transmission price stays comparatively low in Colombia, the nation’s Minister of Well being Fernando Ruíz known as out to its residents to take additional security precautions. He additionally beneficial booster photographs for everybody over the age of 18.
November 19 – Colombia now requires vaccination certificates to enter bars, eating places, or venues
On Tuesday, November 16, Colombia started to require COVID-19 vaccination certificates to enter bars, eating places, and different public venues, together with cinemas, theaters, or sports activities stadiums.
The brand new measures apply to these 18 and over. Beginning November 30, it’ll additionally have an effect on youngsters over 12 years of age.
The choice got here together with the federal government’s goal to immunize all residents towards the virus. Up to now, solely round 45% of Colombians and 6.4% of minors have been vaccinated totally.
Supply: Republic World
October 11 – COVID-19 instances dropping in Colombia
Colombia suffered a spike in COVID-19 infections in mid-June when over 30,000 new instances had been reported day by day. Nevertheless, since June 28, the variety of infections has been dropping.
Yesterday, October 10, the nation reported 1,587 new coronavirus instances, which is round 100 lower than on the identical day a month in the past. Additionally, the variety of deaths attributable to the virus appears to be continually lowering. Yesterday, Colombia reported 38 COVID-19 fatalities, whereas a month in the past, it was about 10 extra.
Supply: Worldometers
September 7 – Colombia reviews the bottom COVID-19 loss of life toll since June 2020
Colombia reported the bottom variety of COVID-related deaths since June 2020, introduced Fernando Ruiz, Colombian Minister of Well being, on Sunday, September 5.
On that day, 48 sufferers died of COVID-19, whereas one other 1,669 folks examined optimistic for the virus. The nation had not reported fewer than 50 fatalities attributed to coronavirus since June 13, 2020.
However, Colombia is anxious concerning the new, extra contagious COVID-19 strains. And never solely the Delta variant, which has been answerable for the present surges in instances within the U.S. and Europe. But additionally the Mu variant, which has just lately been declared as ‘of curiosity’ by the WHO.
Supply: Colombia Reports
August 22 – Colombia accepted a 3rd dose of a COVID-19 vaccine on August 21
Colombia accepted a 3rd booster dose of the coronavirus vaccine, confirmed the Ministry of Well being Fernando Ruiz at a press convention on Friday.
Ruiz clarified that the third dose shall be supplied to residents with underlying situations that “generate or result in immunosuppression, corresponding to coronary heart, kidney, pancreas, lung, gut, liver and bone marrow transplantation after the primary two years.”
The official additionally talked about that the federal government weighs the potential for providing this profit to the wholesome aged too. But it surely has not been confirmed but.
Supply in Spanish: Europa Press
