U.S. Embassy Bogota released the following Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens on August 8, 2011:
The U.S. Embassy, working in conjunction with Colombian authorities, has noted a recent spike in reports of robberies around the Chapinero district in Bogota, Colombia, which includes the Zona Rosa/ Zona T and Parque 93 areas. Embassy and Colombian National Police (CNP) statistics highlight a marked increase in recent days in the categories of robbery, assault, and incidences of foreign personnel targeted as victims of scopolamine in these areas.
Criminals continue to frequent affluent residential and popular entertainment areas to carry out their attacks. Reports of criminal acts, specifically Zona Rosa, Zona T, and Parque 93, between the hours of 11 p.m. and 3 a.m., continue to occur.
Over the weekend, an embassy employee was assaulted and stabbed by three local nationals while walking near the intersection of Carerra 10 and Calle 85 at approximately 11:40 p.m. No life threatening injuries were sustained, however, all U.S. citizens are reminded of the willingness of criminals to utilize violence to perpetrate their crimes.
In another incident, embassy employees were drugged with scopolamine, and subsequently robbed, after meeting local nationals at a local nightclub.
U.S. citizens are advised to adhere to the following recommendations to reduce the risk of falling victim to local crime:
-- Avoid outside cafes and exterior dining areas of restaurants that abut streets and pedestrian walkways (Post policy prohibits sitting in these areas).
-- Minimize, as much as possible, repetitive attendance at widely known ex-patriate establishments.
-- Avoid, as much as possible, open display of valuable items (IPOD, jewelry, Blackberry…etc)
-- Do not use public buses or hail taxis directly off the street; taxis are permitted, but the U.S. Embassy strongly urges individuals to call radio dispatched taxi companies or walk to a nearby hotel to hail a taxi.
-- Avoid walking home late at night; if you must then attempt to do so using the “buddy-system”.
--Avoid the “Galerias” District (between calles 53 and 54 with carerras 34 through 27) and the “Plaza de las Americas” District (Avenida Primera de Mayo between carerra 68 and Avenida Boyaca). These districts have been declared “off-limits” to embassy personnel.
-- In the event you do become the victim of a robbery:
- Try to stay calm. Do not make any sudden movements to upset the robber(s);
- Do exactly as you are told. DO NOT RESIST!
- If you have to move, tell the robber(s) what you are going to do and why;
- Don't be a hero. It's better to lose your money than your life;
- Give the robber (s) time to leave;
- Note the direction of travel when the robber(s) leaves;
- Try to get a description of the robber or their vehicle ONLY if you can do so without exposing yourself to harm.
You can stay in touch and get Embassy updates by checking the Embassy website, found here. You can also get global updates at the U.S. Department of State's, Bureau of Consular Affairs website where you can find the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information. If you don't have internet access, we have a call center for updates--1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada, or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.
You can contact the American Citizen Services Unit at the U.S. Embassy in Bogota, Colombia, via e-mail at acsbogota@state.gov or by telephone at (571) 315-0811. The U.S. Embassy is located at Carrera 45, # 24B-27, Bogota, D.C., Colombia and is open to the public by appointment on Monday through Thursday from 09:00 to 11:30. You can schedule a non-emergency appointment by visiting this website.
The Embassy operates a Consular Agency in Baranquilla, Colombia which also provides assistance to U.S. citizens. The Baranquilla Consular Agency is located Calle 77B No. 57-141, suite 511. Hours are 8:00 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday. No appointment is necessary.
