U.S. Issues New Travel Security Alert For Colombia

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

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

Some of the extra well-liked 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.

While the U.S. Embassy certainly has intel we don’t possess, vacationers can dive into our in-depth report concerning the protection facet of Medellin here.

New Security 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 quite a lot of methods vacationers are focused in Colombia. So a lot so, there’s a widespread saying in Colombia that vacationers ought to know.

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

Keep valuables out of plain sight whereas going about your day, and persist with tourist-friendly neighborhoods.

Advice from the U.S. Embassy:

Never bodily resist a theft try – your life is all the time extra priceless than possessions
Trust your instinct – if one thing feels off, persist with your intestine
Tell somebody you belief of your plans when going out

A Fatal Scam

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

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

The world is a ravishing place, however there are dangerous apples in every single place. The similar goes for Medellin in addition to the remainder of the nation.

With digital nomadism and solo journey being so well-liked, the street can get lonely at occasions. With our telephones glued to our hips, the straightforward factor to do is get on relationship apps, as they’re now common.

It’s now not a societal taboo to fulfill up with strangers, and even journey with them, however maybe the newest rip-off will increase purple flags once more.

The U.S. Embassy in Bogota is sounding the alarm on relationship 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 have 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 relationship apps, however “several” have been linked.

How To Remain Vigilant Dating In Colombia

Other than retaining a heightened sense of consciousness, the Embassy notes try to be one step forward when you sense you’re on a date from hell.

Staying in public view is vital as violent crimes sometimes happen in isolation, equivalent to residences and lodge rooms.

When attainable, inform the concierge of your lodge or residence of a customer and ask them to acquire legitimate identification beforehand if in case you have a brand new customer.

Sedatives have been used, so it’s essential to control what you’re ingesting and preserve your telephone inside attain, as electronics are a generally stolen merchandise.

Uptick In Crime

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

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

With the newest alert, it seems these unlucky traits are carrying over into 2024, with the relationship app rip-off changing into essentially the most prevalent tactic.

Here is the kicker – the U.S. Embassy admits crime typically goes unreported on account of sufferer embarrassment. While Medellin is the hotspot for crimes in opposition to vacationers, with the Embassy’s information of unreported crimes, they felt it was essential to concern an alert for the entire nation with Medellin, Bogota, and Cartagena being highlighted.

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