U.S. Issues New Travel Security Alert For Colombia

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Colombia has lengthy held an iffy fame for vacationers. On one hand, it’s a tremendous vacation spot to go to.

However, many vacationers have claimed they really feel the necessity to preserve their head on a swivel in sure areas.

Among the extra fashionable cities to go to are Medellin, Bogota and Cartagena to call a choose few. The U.S. Embassy simply issued a nationwide safety alert this morning for all vacationers in Colombia.

Whereas the U.S. Embassy absolutely has intel we don’t possess, vacationers can dive into our in-depth report relating to the protection side of Medellin here.

New Safety Alert

Tragically, it has been reported from November 1 – December 31, 2023 8 U.S. vacationers misplaced their lives by being duped by criminals.

There are a number of the way vacationers are focused in Colombia. A lot so, there’s a frequent saying in Colombia that vacationers ought to know.

‘No Dar Papaya’ interprets to ‘don’t give papaya’. Primarily, do your greatest to not stand out and make your self a goal.

Hold valuables out of plain sight whereas going about your day, and keep on with tourist-friendly neighborhoods.

Recommendation from the U.S. Embassy:

By no means bodily resist a theft try – your life is at all times extra useful than possessions
Belief your instinct – if one thing feels off, keep on with your intestine
Inform somebody you belief of your plans when going out

A Deadly Rip-off

Colombia isn’t any stranger to crime and the U.S. Embassy is most definitely conscious. So why the sudden change in tone?

It’s fairly alarming to lose 8 lives in such a brief span. Medellin, particularly, has turn into a hotspot for U.S. vacationers for its reasonably priced prices and year-round splendid climate, amongst different digital nomad perks.

The world is an attractive place, however there are unhealthy apples in every single place. The identical goes for Medellin in addition to the remainder of the nation.

With digital nomadism and solo journey being so fashionable, the highway can get lonely at occasions. With our telephones glued to our hips, the simple factor to do is get on courting apps, as they’re now common.

It’s now not a societal taboo to fulfill up with strangers, and even trip with them, however maybe the most recent rip-off will elevate crimson flags once more.

The U.S. Embassy in Bogota is sounding the alarm on courting apps in Colombia as U.S. vacationers are being duped far worse than your typical ‘catfish’.

Lured in to assembly in a public place as most dates go, because the night time goes on, victims had been lead away from public view and assaulted, drugged, robbed and even killed in some cases.

Not all 8 reported deaths have been attributed to courting apps, however “a number of” have been linked.

How To Stay Vigilant Courting In Colombia

Apart from protecting a heightened sense of consciousness, the Embassy notes you need to be one step forward in the event you sense you’re on a date from hell.

Staying in public view is essential as violent crimes usually happen in isolation, equivalent to residences and resort rooms.

When doable, inform the concierge of your resort or residence of a customer and ask them to acquire legitimate identification beforehand when you’ve got a brand new customer.

Sedatives have been used, so it’s necessary to keep watch over what you’re ingesting and preserve your cellphone inside attain, as electronics are a generally stolen merchandise.

Uptick In Crime

In line with the Tourism Observatory of the District Personnel of Medellin, crime in opposition to foreigners elevated 200 % towards the top of 2023 when in comparison with 2022 knowledge.

That’s a giant bounce that raises eyebrows. What’s much more regarding is many deaths deemed ‘violent’ had been U.S. residents in 2023.

With the most recent alert, it seems these unlucky developments are carrying over into 2024, with the courting app rip-off changing into probably the most prevalent tactic.

Right here is the kicker – the U.S. Embassy admits crime usually goes unreported on account of sufferer embarrassment. Whereas Medellin is the hotspot for crimes in opposition to vacationers, with the Embassy’s data of unreported crimes, they felt it was essential to challenge an alert for the entire nation with Medellin, Bogota, and Cartagena being highlighted.

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