"Special Treatment" for U.S. Nationals

Aaron says on May 24, 2004, 12:04:

Alguen?

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ColombiaBoard says on May 24, 2004, 13:00:

Discrimination You shouldn´t be overly concerned about revealing your nationality. Basically it all depends to whom you reveal your nationality to, colombians in general are friendly and probably will ask you where you´re from (for example in a store, at a bar, in a taxi), the idea is to be relaxed about it. Colombians in general have a positive attitude about the U.S., but sometimes they can get a bit defensive about certain specific topics.
If you´re already in Colombia you´ll notice that those warnings about not wearing clothing with american brand names on it are nonsense, just watch the sneakers, t-shirts and pants everyone is wearing, all you see is american brand names.
A different story is if you´re travelling outside the cities to small towns by bus or are in a small town away from cities, in that case it´s better not to tell that you´re american, in general, all foreigners should do that.

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Mr. Hollywood says on May 24, 2004, 13:01:

One man's perspective Personally, I don't go around Colombia announcing that I'm a US citizen, but that's for security, not to avoid negativity. It may vary widely depending on where you go in the country or maybe within the different economic stratas, but there doesn't seem to be a ton of anti-USA sentiment among a fairly broad segement of the general population. I'm sure you could find plenty of bitter anti-Americanism if you looked on certain university campuses but that's true in the US, too.

To generalize very broadly, Colombians seem to think the US drug policy is a bit hypocritical but that US support of the war against the FARC is fine. I doubt any of them will hold you personally responsible.

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Aaron says on May 24, 2004, 13:21:

Thanks for sharing your perceptions' Mr. Hollywood,
What do you mean when you say that you don't announce that you're from the US for security? When I originaly wrote the poste I my intent was to lump any security concerns in with general negativity.

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Mr. Hollywood says on May 24, 2004, 18:58:

about security Well, I don't know if this is really true or not but there's a perception that Americans are more valuable targets for the FARC here. It just doesn't seem like there's any advantage in broadcasting US citizenship unneccesarily. That said, I also wouldn't lie about it or try very hard to hide it. If you use basic common sense the security situation in the big cities of Colombia is quite reasonable. I've been more scared in bad parts of US and European cities than I have in Colombia, probably because I've done a good job staying out of the equivalently bad parts of Colombian cities. From what I hear about the bad parts of Bogota and Medellin it can be really touch and go in the wrong neighborhoods.

I think that quote you cited from some other website says more about the poster's predjuidice against Americans than any Colombian's.

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Gator says on May 24, 2004, 19:06:

Look at it This Way... Since 1994 only 24 Americans have been kidnapped in Colombia. Most of us who live her a visit do not have enough to make it worth while.
Hell, I think more people that that got carjacked in Maimi will gasing up at a convience store.

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

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Mr. Hollywood says on May 25, 2004, 06:53:

Wish that were true I can tell you for a fact that way more than 24 Americans have been kidnapped in Colombia since 1994. Most kidnappings of foreigners who work for multinationals are never reported to the government because during the kidnappings they're afraid the gaula might fuck things up and after the kidnappings the corporations don't want to take the heat for paying ransoms.

That said, for your average foreigner living in one of the big cities kidnapping is not a huge statistical risk. Your odds of getting maimed by a speeding taxi are much worse than your odds of getting kidnapped by one.

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Gator says on May 26, 2004, 06:03:

Way more? Yes, but how many of our amigos heading for Colombia plan to work in the oil producing areas or work for multi-national corporations? Hell, there is an element of risk in just being alive. A thousand years ago we could have gone to the lake to pick berries and a bear jumps out and eats us.

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

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Mr. Hollywood says on May 26, 2004, 07:42:

estoy de acuerdo I don't disagree with your characterization of the risk at all, Gator. I just thought I should correct your statement that only 24 Americans have been kidnapped in the last 10 years. Hell, from what I've heard from an aquaintance of mine with experience in the oil patch, there have been kidnappings of that many Americans/foreigners at once who were held for quite a time while multi-million dollar ransoms were negotiated. And of course those incidents were never officially reported.

But I totally agree that the danger of kidnapping to an average travelling gringo who exercises common street sense is low, probably much lower than in Mexico City or Rio.

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Gator says on May 26, 2004, 08:06:

O.K. you win!

Since no one really knows let's stop beating that dead horse.


The AP (how do they know?) says the top countries for kidnapping are:

Colombia,
Brazil,
Pakistan,
Philippines,
Mexico,
Guatemala,
the United States,
Venezuela,
India,
Ecuador.

I did think it was interesting to note that 6 out of 10 are Latin American

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

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Aaron says on May 29, 2004, 16:16:

Thanks for your responses. I know questions about the security situation probably get tedious but I appreciate the info and any perceptions that are shared. Colombia truly does sound like a fantastic place to visit and it's amazing that with the problems and negative press that it faces, that the country has been able to develope such a positive rep.
Aaron.

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rfonteno says on Jun 1, 2004, 20:04:

Don't be afraid I am a gringo and have been to Colombia 3 different times and I will be going to Bogota soon. I always made sure that I took a legitimate taxi(yellow one) they are everywhere. Also, I dressed normal and tried not to resemble a tourist by carrying around a camera or wearing jewelry. For the most part, the people there are great and the media contributes a negative view to the American people about Colombia. When I had to go to a grocery store, they knew that I was an American because my Spanish is not very good but I did not sense a reaction of hostility on their part because I was an American, I did notice though that they laughed at me a little.

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viewpoint says on Jun 4, 2004, 06:45:

Yellow Taxi No Guarantee Dear Rfonteno,

If you think that every "yellow" appearing taxi is legitimate you will be in for a rude surprise. The yellow color and marking on a car are no warranty or guarantee that you are not a risk. I have never had a problem in Medellin but I experienced a life threatning encounter taking a taxi from the Caracus airport to downtown Caracus even after I used all precautions advised to me by locals. After having a knife put to my chest several times I was able to negoiate my way out of this problem with US$100 and some strong verbal language that could have ended my life if they had been that determined to separate me from my property. In desperation I think I scared them as much as they scared me. Just don't think because a taxi is yellow with markings that you are safe (even in NYC). Every trip is played against the odds (probably 98% favorable) and for the most part you will be fine but be prepared for the worst and pray for the best.

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Gator says on Jun 4, 2004, 06:58:

Best bet for a taxi is to.. call the company directly and request a cab or look for the telephone number on the side-legit cabs will have something like 444 4444, 333 3333, 666 6666 etc. Some even go as far as calling direct to the copnany and giving the dispatcher a "code word" to give the driver. When he picks you up he will give the code word(if he says "perro gringo" do not take the cab). I have never been that paranoid but I look for the 444 4444 and I NEVER get into a cab if it has an extra passenger.

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

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Rikito says on Jun 4, 2004, 07:23:

Americans In Columbia I just came back from Colombia to visit my fiancé. I am 6'2", 235lbs, light brown hair and green eyes, and very outdoorsy looking. I spent a week in Bogotá and loved it so much. The people were incredibly warm, friendly and gracious. I stayed in a suburb (Quiroga) that is not considered safe for some reason but I had no problems. Crime is way down in Colombia and Bogotá overall. There are more kidnappings, murders, and shootings in Washington D.C. in one weekend than in all of Colombia for a year. (This is factual) In fact one night we took a taxi to Quiroga and stopped in front of 4 local machismos who were standing around smoking probably waiting for a 'chica' to walk by. The taxi stops and about the only way I can get out is to back out. I did and what they say was a huge rear end backing out of a taxi and falling on the street. I looked at then and they looked at me and we all laughed as they came over to help me up.

Just be yourself and remember that you are the foreigner. Play by their rules and show people dignity and respect and not act like the ugly American.

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utopiacowboy says on Jun 4, 2004, 07:39:

You must use common sense with the taxis. One night my wife and I went with her sister to the bus station in Medellin about 11:30 at night. There were a lot of cabs out front and we got in one to go back home. Instead of getting in the cab and taking us to our destination, the taxi driver got out and went over and started talking to some guys. My wife nudged me and told me to get out of the cab. So we did and got in another one and the driver took us home. She said that maybe there had been nothing wrong with the first one but if the taxi driver was talking to some people instead of taking us to our destination, that was not a good sign. Better safe than sorry.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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lozza says on Jun 4, 2004, 08:30:

Don't worry about your nationality. I'm English and find that the majority of people here assume i'm American anyway. I have never had negative reactions, and it usually creates friendly interest more than anything else. Lot's of time spent explaining that England is not part of the U.S. and that the U.S. is actually closer to Colombia than it is to the UK - a point often met with complete disbelief!!!

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Scott says on Jun 5, 2004, 12:34:

Cali taxi's Half the Cali taxi's tried to overcharge me but never more than 1,000 CP each. One drove around in circles to raise the bill. About half charged the correct amount & one corrected me when I accidently gave him a 20,000 CP instead of a 2,000 CP.

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Tinto (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Jun 5, 2004, 12:50:

picking numbers from the air Rikitio wrote "There are more kidnappings, murders, and shootings in Washington D.C. in one weekend than in all of Colombia for a year. (This is factual)"



Tinto writes: BALONEY!

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Jun 5, 2004, 12:52:

a tainted cup of black coffee you're right about that. I would just love to see the statistics.

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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Tinto (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Jun 5, 2004, 13:05:

only off by a factor of 100... http://www.safestreetsdc.com/subpages/murdercap.html



Colombia in 2002 had about 30,000 homicides and in 2003 it dropped to approx 24,000. Washington D.C. in 2002 had 262 homicides.

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vladimiro says on Jun 5, 2004, 15:28:

Bieng American Is A Benefit In Colombia Unlike many countries in the world being an American is actually of great benefit in Colombia. Here a couple personal examples:

1. My co-worker was supposed to have a ticket to Bogota waiting for me at the airport in Medellin. When I arrived there was no ticket, but because I am a gringo the lady at the ticket counter wrote down my contact info and gave me a free ticket. She then escorted me to the gate because I was late and would have otherwise missed the flight.

2. I went to that underground salt cathedral outside Bogota during Semana Santa and there was a 2 hour wait to get in. My driver talked to the police and because I am a gingo the police personally escorted me to the front of the line and guided me through the church explaining to me all the details about its construction and significance.

I could give examples about how it has helped my work and business, too. Its really a great advantage, I would scream "I'm American!!!" while in Colombia if I were you. Now if your going to Europe that's another story. They do infact hate Americans.

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