With dramatically beautiful rainforests, mountains and beaches, lovely cities and enchanting people, Colombia should be among the world's most attractive and intoxicating destinations.
June 30, 2006 (Press Release) --
Intro
With dramatically beautiful rainforests, mountains and beaches, lovely cities and enchanting people, Colombia should be among the world's most attractive and intoxicating destinations. Unfortunately, the current guerrilla war, combined with ongoing activities of cocaine cartels, has made much of Colombia - dubbed 'Locombia' (the mad country) by the press - off limits to all but the most foolhardy travelers.
The good news is that it's still possible to enjoy Colombia's colorful swirl of myth and mysticism. As long as you avoid all overland travel and stick to major cities and touristed areas, pay attention to the news, and keep your wits about you at all times, you'll get a safe and healthy dose of what is arguably the most underrated travel destination on the continent.
Warning
Colombia has gone from bad to worse since February 2002, when President Andres Pastrana cut off peace negotiations with the Marxist rebel organization FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia). Three years of unsuccessful talks ended after FARC rebels kidnapped Senator Jorge Gechem Turbay from his hijacked plane. In addition to calling off the talks, Pastrana sent the Colombian army in to reoccupy territory ceded to the rebels in 1998. Since then, clashes between the troops and the guerillas have been constant and bloody. More kidnappings have followed, including the abductions of presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and Antioquia Governor Guillermo Gaviria, both taken in separate instances while on their way to peace rallies. FARC is presently holding five prominent politicians, and is suspected of the murder of Senator Martha Catalina Daniels. The assassination of Archbishop Isaias Duarte Cancino may also be the work of FARC, although other suspects include drug kingpins and corrupt politicians.
As usual, civilians are caught in the crossfire and bear the brunt of the violence. In May 2002, a bomb dropped on a church in Choco province killed 117 people, who had taken refuge in the church from the battle raging outside between FARC and the right-wing paramilitary group United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC). FARC has claimed responsibility, but claims the bombing was an accident.
The US State Department and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs both warn their citizens not to travel to Colombia at this time. The UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office warns that 'violence and kidnapping are serious problems, and all foreign nationals are potential targets.' More than 3000 people are abducted every year - and those are just the official figures. And far worse things have happen to backpackers who have braved the interior than this. Violence by narcotraffickers and paramilitary groups has created a culture of fear that has catalyzed criminal elements throughout the country. This is a dangerous time to visit any part of Colombia: although the violence used to be confined to the countryside, the rebels are increasingly targeting urban centers to cause economic and political damage. If you must go, pay close attention to your embassy's travel warnings and to local news both before and during your stay.
Source: http://www.yahoo.com
With dramatically beautiful rainforests, mountains and beaches, lovely cities and enchanting people, Colombia should be among the world's most attractive and intoxicating destinations. Unfortunately, the current guerrilla war, combined with ongoing activities of cocaine cartels, has made much of Colombia - dubbed 'Locombia' (the mad country) by the press - off limits to all but the most foolhardy travelers.
The good news is that it's still possible to enjoy Colombia's colorful swirl of myth and mysticism. As long as you avoid all overland travel and stick to major cities and touristed areas, pay attention to the news, and keep your wits about you at all times, you'll get a safe and healthy dose of what is arguably the most underrated travel destination on the continent.
Warning
Colombia has gone from bad to worse since February 2002, when President Andres Pastrana cut off peace negotiations with the Marxist rebel organization FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia). Three years of unsuccessful talks ended after FARC rebels kidnapped Senator Jorge Gechem Turbay from his hijacked plane. In addition to calling off the talks, Pastrana sent the Colombian army in to reoccupy territory ceded to the rebels in 1998. Since then, clashes between the troops and the guerillas have been constant and bloody. More kidnappings have followed, including the abductions of presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and Antioquia Governor Guillermo Gaviria, both taken in separate instances while on their way to peace rallies. FARC is presently holding five prominent politicians, and is suspected of the murder of Senator Martha Catalina Daniels. The assassination of Archbishop Isaias Duarte Cancino may also be the work of FARC, although other suspects include drug kingpins and corrupt politicians.
As usual, civilians are caught in the crossfire and bear the brunt of the violence. In May 2002, a bomb dropped on a church in Choco province killed 117 people, who had taken refuge in the church from the battle raging outside between FARC and the right-wing paramilitary group United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC). FARC has claimed responsibility, but claims the bombing was an accident.
The US State Department and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs both warn their citizens not to travel to Colombia at this time. The UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office warns that 'violence and kidnapping are serious problems, and all foreign nationals are potential targets.' More than 3000 people are abducted every year - and those are just the official figures. And far worse things have happen to backpackers who have braved the interior than this. Violence by narcotraffickers and paramilitary groups has created a culture of fear that has catalyzed criminal elements throughout the country. This is a dangerous time to visit any part of Colombia: although the violence used to be confined to the countryside, the rebels are increasingly targeting urban centers to cause economic and political damage. If you must go, pay close attention to your embassy's travel warnings and to local news both before and during your stay.
Source: http://www.yahoo.com
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