Colombian Travel Warning

Monpirri says on Mar 3, 2008, 18:16:

What has happened? I did not get the memo? What diplomatic tensions?

The life spam of a taste bud is ten days

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manINred says on Mar 3, 2008, 18:19:

What is this all about?

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expatriate says on Mar 3, 2008, 18:25:

My original post is a joke. On the serious side, as I am registered with the embassy as a U.S. citizen, I received this via email. A direct cut and paste of that email:
March 3, 2008

The U.S. Embassy in Bogotá advises all Americans in Colombia to keep a low profile and to remain vigilant as a result of recent Colombian military activity and regional diplomatic tensions. Although the Embassy possesses no information concerning specific and credible threats against Americans in Colombia, all Americans are strongly encouraged to exercise caution. All official and personal travel outside of Bogotá by Embassy personnel is now subject to review, with the exception of air travel to Cali, Cartagena, and Medellin. In addition, the Embassy advises all Americans to avoid areas where foreigners are known to congregate. Embassy personnel are prohibited from taking public buses and the Embassy advises all Americans to refrain from using them as well.

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, Worldwide Caution, and Country Specific Information can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States or Canada, or by a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). American citizens traveling or residing overseas are encouraged to register with the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate on the State Department's travel registration website at https://travelregistration.state.gov.

In case of an emergency in Colombia, please contact the Consular Section at the Embassy in Bogota, located at Calle 22D-Bis # 47-51, Bogota, D.C., Colombia. Emergency telephone contact may be made 24 hours a day at (57-1) 315-0811.

You received this message because your email address has been registered with the U.S. Department of State.

If you do not wish to receive future messages, you may change your email options by visiting the Department of State website at http://travel.state.gov.

If you are young, skilled, and intelligent, you might want to seriously consider leaving the US now, while you still can.

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CatGirl says on Mar 3, 2008, 18:27:

.

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

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rocinante says on Mar 3, 2008, 18:31:

Don't take the bus? You've gotta be kidding.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Not that the US president actually runs the US." Feb 5, 2008

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arthur brode says on Mar 3, 2008, 18:39:

Does this message apply to the Gringos that live in Venezuela as well lol
and since i cant take the public Bus anymore will the U.S.Embassy reimburse me for taxi fare?

http://www.calirentals.net/

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expatriate says on Mar 3, 2008, 18:51:

Arthur, the sole purpose of the U.S. Embassy in Bogota is to collect $100 from every Colombian who wants to travel to the U.S., for whatever reason. If the applicant is denied, they don't get their money back. What a great racket!

By the way, Art, if you can't take the bus anymore, no you won't be reimbursed for taxi fare. In fact, you should not have left the U.S. in the first place. It is harder to collect taxes from you.

It has been clearly demonstrated during the tsunami in Indonesia a few years ago that U.S. embassies are as worthless as possible when asked to help their own citizens.

From what I read, Australia took care of those stranded people.

If you are young, skilled, and intelligent, you might want to seriously consider leaving the US now, while you still can.

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Monpirri says on Mar 3, 2008, 18:59:

So the email you recieved in your inbox it's a hoax?

The life spam of a taste bud is ten days

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tejasmarcos says on Mar 3, 2008, 19:00:

interesting warning. completely worthless........

trying to walk a straight line on sour mash and cheap wine...

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chrispej says on Mar 3, 2008, 21:00:

Why register with the embassy? That's like writing a letter to your congressman without a substantial donation, completely worthless.

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Alma del Norte says on Mar 3, 2008, 21:48:

"the Embassy advises all Americans to avoid areas where foreigners are known to congregate."

Ah, bliss - every cloud has a silver lining! ;)

La vida es una rutina

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scotty says on Mar 3, 2008, 22:58:

ooooo...here we go again, americans beware, dont walk on streets, dont drink water, dont go to colombia. man i have been hearing that for 9 years.

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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huskie says on Mar 4, 2008, 04:42:

You should ALWAYS register with th US Embassy when overseas, is for your own protection, this is not recent news, it has always been in place.
There is a lot of resentment toward the US specially now, today...
Cheers

"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds-"

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Gator says on Mar 4, 2008, 08:23:

Nine years?? More like twenty.

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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durito says on Mar 4, 2008, 08:55:

"You should ALWAYS register with th US Embassy when overseas, is for your own protection, this is not recent news, it has always been in place."

No thanks.

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huskie says on Mar 4, 2008, 09:25:

Duro: Are you hiding in Colombia?
Cheers

"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds-"

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durito says on Mar 4, 2008, 09:29:

No, I just live here.

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tejasmarcos says on Mar 4, 2008, 10:28:

notification of the usa embassy sounds like increased likelyhood of an irs audit to me......

trying to walk a straight line on sour mash and cheap wine...

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joeylove007 says on Mar 4, 2008, 11:16:

The Embassy also advises all U.S. male citizens in Colombia to avoid contact with women who do NOT want money for sex . It is a premeditated trap to get their residence in the USA and deminsh your savings, credit cards, property, mental health and run off with a beach bum.

Trust no one...except God. Hope to retire in Colombia

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expatriate says on Mar 4, 2008, 17:39:

tejasmarcos, as far as an IRS audit, I use a professional accounting service in Campbell, CA. I have never been audited and have always had good service. The thousands of stock and option trades I make each year are not even listed on the IRS form, just the profits.

If you are a young man in Colombia, I must agree with the joeylove007?, but there is a very good possibility that the girl will still spend your savings, credit cards, property, and mental health, besides having some kind of an excuse not to see you every weekend night.

Ask Elmodefogue for his stories on that subject.

If you are young, skilled, and intelligent, you might want to seriously consider leaving the US now, while you still can.

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tejasmarcos says on Mar 4, 2008, 18:15:

expat - how are you fairing these days in the stock/options market? good i hope...

trying to walk a straight line on sour mash and cheap wine...

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