Laws For Visiting Tourists & 2 Other Questions.

Gator says on Jan 23, 2008, 14:53:

It would help if you could tell us what crime you intend to commit. As a US Citizen you have no more rights than a Colombian Citizen-Do NOT depend on any real help from the Embassy. If you violate Colombian laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. If you are arrested, U S consular officers cannot request your release. Colombian law requires that serious offenders serve a lengthy period of parole, during which the offender cannot leave the country, is given no housing, and may lack permission to work. As a result, family members must often support the offender,

I will tell you this-watch you ass-it would be better you died as a small child then to end up in Bogotá's La Modelo prision. As they say, "When you arrive at La Modelo, your only luggage is fear."

"Bene, cum Latine nescias, nolo manus meas in te maculare" .

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nueva york bombero says on Jan 23, 2008, 15:18:

funny shit newbie! A lil harsh, but this is PBH biatches!!!!

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NotoriousGIB1K says on Jan 23, 2008, 15:24:

What's up with the animosity? Is this what the newbie treatment is around here. I do not plan to commit any crimes. The only reason I asked is because I read that Colombian police officers may try & extort me for money. Without knowing my rights how am I to know whether something I did was wrong or not or whether the officer had a legal right to stop me in the first place. No need to be asses around here - especially to someone who is leaving the American attitude behind & plans on respecting his hosts.

Work to live. Don't live to work.

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nueva york bombero says on Jan 23, 2008, 15:29:

Hey, first thing is you need thick skin on this message board!
That wasn't an attack. You should see what some people write about me!
I have never had a problem with Colombian police officers and I doubt you will either.
I've had Mexican police shake me down for plata, but never Colombians.
In fact, they recently helped me when my friend was robbed in Barranquilla.

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NotoriousGIB1K says on Jan 23, 2008, 15:35:

Thank you, nueva york bombero, for the advice. I hope it is as you say, but I'm not one to rely on hope alone. Just to clarify for any other responders, I was not insinuating that a US citizen should have more rights then a Colombian. I really just wanted to know if I had equal rights as a Colombian & if I was protected under, "POLITICAL CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF COLOMBIA ON 1991".

Work to live. Don't live to work.

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nueva york bombero says on Jan 23, 2008, 15:38:

It's so simple and so is the lifestyle down there.
Don't look for drugs, don't go places your instincts tell you not to and if
you don't have instincts, don't go to Colombia.

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jh816 says on Jan 23, 2008, 15:48:

Hmmmm, a newbie hazing a newbie. On this board, as with most in cyberspace, don't worry about the flamers. They usually know little more than you do and are probably just venting a chitty day.

Why are you worrying about the police? I've lived here for more than a year and have never been approached or needed to talk to one. The laws here (written/unwritten) are not so different that you won't know when you're breaking them. Use your head, be polite, and you'll be fine.

You do know at least some spanish, right? Yeah, if you don't know any spanish like some of the yahoos that come down here, you're just asking to get takin' advantage of by anyone.

joe.

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nueva york bombero says on Jan 23, 2008, 15:48:

I have to agree....
I love no one watching my ass but beautiful chicas!!!!
Act normal and don't depend on anyone (especially our govt).
Oh, and choose your questions and words carefully on here!!!!
Gracias Adios!

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durito says on Jan 23, 2008, 15:52:

two cops tried to set me up the other day in medellin (at least i'm pretty sure that was what was going on). never let your guard down.

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NotoriousGIB1K says on Jan 23, 2008, 15:58:

Thanks, JH, yes I've been studying a few hours a day in Spanish for a little over a month, but still have a ways to go before I can speak fluently. I have hired a translator, a local (Medellin) English teacher to translate for me while I am there.

Also, I am a product of my environment in some ways. I have been pulled over in my own country over 17 or 18 times during my 15 years of driving. I would chalk roughly half of them due to police profiling or police fishing. You know the BS when you're driving home between 2-3 AM & a cops pulls you over for failure to use a turn signal or worse your license plate light is out in hopes of catching you committing a more serious offense such as DUI or possession. I finally got fed up w/ it one day & started studying law. I prefer to be ahead of the game on my visit then to be one of those dildos that bends over for a cop or jumps when he says jump.

Work to live. Don't live to work.

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nueva york bombero says on Jan 23, 2008, 16:03:

It's way different in Colombia newbie!
It's basically the wild west.
You have no rights if the cops think you are up to something.
I'm not sure you're getting it.

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nueva york bombero says on Jan 23, 2008, 16:11:

How do you know Rob?

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NotoriousGIB1K says on Jan 23, 2008, 16:13:

WTF are you talking about robi? That was not me, although ironically I am perusing luxury apartments in the Medellin area now.

Work to live. Don't live to work.

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nueva york bombero says on Jan 23, 2008, 16:14:

Sounds like you've hit a nerve.......Good work Bobby boy!!!

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NotoriousGIB1K says on Jan 23, 2008, 16:43:

LOL GIB - didn't meant to hit a nerve with you - watch out for the police when you go "fuck someone up for real". You might have to bend over again or get taken under a bridge and shot.

Work to live. Don't live to work.

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Gator says on Jan 23, 2008, 16:50:

GIB, amigo,"Talk about wanting to stick a round peg into a square hole." Does that apply to a visit to La Modelo?????????????

NotoriousGIB1K, both I and Griingoinbogota live here. I an my eife for a number of years as has, I belive GIB. You asked we told you do what you want.

"Bene, cum Latine nescias, nolo manus meas in te maculare" .

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NotoriousGIB1K says on Jan 23, 2008, 17:02:

Thank you Gator, I'm sorry, I did want some honest input before leaving, however some of the dis-respectful input by some members was unwarranted. I should have been better then to give into it & fuel the fire.

I guess as a US citizen I may be spoiled by my rights. Any cop around here who fucks up & gets caught ends up in jail, fired & the city or station gets sued. I find it astounding that the Constitution does not seem to be enforced at the street level & they basically play a role as the judge, jury & executioner according to most of you.

GIB please accept my apologizes & to any moderator out there feel free to delete this thread. It has gone off on a tangent & my other two questions were never addressed anyways.

Work to live. Don't live to work.

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slguy says on Jan 23, 2008, 17:16:

"I guess as a US citizen I may be spoiled by my rights."

ummm..have you ever left the US borders behind, before? anyone that's spent any time in latin america would know better than try to translate US experience internationally.

but then again- you could try spouting off to a colombian cop about your "rights", if you want to. let us know how that works out for ya, ok?

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

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eywed says on Jan 23, 2008, 17:20:

How many Colombian Police Officers does it take to throw a trouble making american down the stairs? None! He fell.

Ay Hombe!!!!!

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lpdiver says on Jan 23, 2008, 17:23:

Here is a link to the constitution in its entirety. Read it then you will be the only person in Colombia that has.

http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Constitutions/Colombia/col91.html


t

Remember what the monkey says, "Fuck money it's free"

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slguy says on Jan 23, 2008, 17:25:

jajajajajajaa

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

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lpdiver says on Jan 23, 2008, 17:32:

I had printed the marriage requirements and had to "educate" my notaria in the process of my marriage. I am constanly "educating" "travel professionals" so I don't know.

Having read the constitution I find it strikingly similar to that of the United States.

T

Remember what the monkey says, "Fuck money it's free"

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Gator says on Jan 23, 2008, 19:13:

Thanks for the kind words, NotoriousGIB1K. I guess the best advice is to remember Dorothy's line from the "Wizard of Oz," 'Toto, I've got a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore.' "

$2.000 is more than adequate. You will, perhaps, find Medellin to be a bit more formal that you are accustomed to. Great Metro(subway system) Great climate Don't be nervous when people get "in your face" Much less personal space in Colombia then the USA. One BIG problem if you do run into trouble; criminal defendants have a right to an attorney, although indigents have difficulties in obtaining effective counsel. In some cases, inability to post bail and backlogs in processing result in tpersons serving the applicable sentence for the crime charged BEFORE the case even goes to trial.

Couple of passages from the Constitution:

ARTICLE 4. In any case of conflict between the Constitution and the law or another law, the constitutional provisions will apply. It is the duty of nationals and foreigners in Colombia abide by the Constitution and laws, and to respect and obey the authorities.
ARTICLE 11. The right to life is inviolable. . There will be no death penalty.
ARTICLE 12. Nobody will be subjected to forced disappearance, torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
ARTICLE 100. Foreigners in Colombia enjoy the same civil rights that are granted to Colombians.

I guess the best you can say about Colombia’s judicial system is that it is dysfunctional. A new law was passed and implemented in 2004 that purportedly was going to reform the system but that has had limited success.


On a high note remember thousand visit Colombian annually and have no trouble what so ever.

"Bene, cum Latine nescias, nolo manus meas in te maculare" .

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NotoriousGIB1K says on Jan 23, 2008, 21:36:

Thanks much Gator =)

Work to live. Don't live to work.

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JGD says on Jan 24, 2008, 07:16:

areyou gonna party, well don`t party illegally and you won`t find yourself in La Modelo

Panties not best thing on earth, but next to best thing on earth.

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JGD says on Jan 24, 2008, 07:19:

Speaking of La Modelo Gator, I found in SOHO a couple of interesting articles about life there.
Wealthy inmate / Indigent Inmate. It`s got pics too :)

http://www.soho.com.co/wf_InfoSeccion.aspx?IdMenu=3&IdSec=22

Anyway, not my choice for a hotel.

Panties not best thing on earth, but next to best thing on earth.

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Gator says on Jan 24, 2008, 07:37:

Had a visit a few years ago with my brother-in-law who, at the time was military police commander in Bogotá. Had nightmares for two weeks.

Very true, there, as in many places, pesos talk BS walks.

"Bene, cum Latine nescias, nolo manus meas in te maculare" .

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