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Alert: Colombia Travel Advisory Level 4: Do Not Travel
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20 MINUTE READ
April 21, 2021

Location: Colombia 

The Department of State has updated its travel advisory for Colombia on April 20, 2021 in coordination with science-based guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) about ongoing risks due to COVID-19. The Department advises travelers not to travel to Colombia. 

Do not travel to Colombia due to COVID-19. Exercise increased caution in Colombia due to crime, terrorism, and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. 

Read the Department of State’s COVID-19 page before you plan any international travel.   

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for Colombia due to COVID-19, indicating a very high level of COVID-19 in the country. Visit the Embassy’s COVID-19 page for more information on COVID-19 in Colombia. 

Do Not Travel to: 

  • Arauca, Cauca (except Popayán), Chocó (except Nuquí), Nariño, and Norte de Santander (except Cúcuta) departments due to crime and terrorism. 

Reconsider Travel to: 

  • Several departments throughout the country due to crime and terrorism. 

Country Summary: Violent crime, such as homicide, assault, and armed robbery, is common. Organized criminal activities, such as extortion, robbery, and kidnapping for ransom, are widespread. 

While the Colombian government signed a peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) terrorist group, some dissident groups refuse to demobilize. 

The National Liberation Army (ELN) terrorist organization continues plotting possible attacks in Colombia. They may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas. 

U.S. government personnel cannot travel freely throughout Colombia for security reasons. 

Read the country information page. 

If you decide to travel to Colombia: 

Arauca, Cauca, Chocó, Nariño and Norte de Santander Departments – Do Not Travel 

Violent crime, including armed robbery and homicide is widespread. 

Terrorist groups are active in some parts. 

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens as U.S. government personnel cannot travel to these areas due to security concerns. 

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas. 

Several Departments throughout the Country – Reconsider Travel 

Reconsider Travel to: 

  • Antioquia department north of Medellin 
  • Caquetá department 
  • Casanare department 
  • Cesar department outside of Valledupar 
  • Cordoba department outside of Montería 
  • Guainía department 
  • Guaviare department 
  • Meta department 
  • Putumayo department 
  • Valle del Cauca department outside of Cali and Palmira area 
  • Vaupes department 
  • Vichada department 

Violent crime, including armed robbery and homicide, is widespread. 

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens as U.S. government personnel cannot travel to these areas because of security restrictions and limited domestic travel options. 

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas. 

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