travel advisory – Finance Colombia

Atanasio Girardot “Tienditas” Bridge Opens Between Colombia And Venezuela

Loren Moss — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 21:52:06 +0000

On New Year’s Day, The Colombian and Venezuelan governments held a small celebration opening the Tienditas (little stores) Bridge, linking Villa del Rosario in the Norte de Santander department of Colombia, on the outskirts of Cúcuta, with Pedro Maria Ureña, in the state of Táchira, Venezuela.

Construction began on the bridge, formally named the Atanasio Girardot Bridge, in 2014, but though finished, was never put into service, and was blocked off by containers after an armed standoff between the two countries in 2019.

In January of that year, then Colombian President Ivan Duque joined Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and the US in breaking ties with the country after political intervention in Venezuela worsened, and called on Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro to step down. In February, after the Venezuela Aid Live concert backed by British impresario Richard Branson was held on the Colombian side of the border near the bridge, anti-Maduro activists in Colombia and Brazil attempted to forcefully transport food, medicine, and other goods into Venezuela. Law enforcement used tear gas and rubber bullets in several instances while vehicles were set on fire and opposition forces threw Molotov cocktails. At least two people died and some 300 were injured during a chaotic weekend. Afterwards, Maduro cut diplomatic ties with Colombia, and the bridge did not open.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro last year ran on a campaign platform of normalizing ties and reducing tensions with the Maduro regime in Venezuela. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Álvaro Leyva Durán, said that with the implementation of this infrastructure “the commitments of the governments of Colombia and Venezuela and the desire of Presidents Gustavo Petro and Nicolás Maduro, to advance in normalization of our relations, materialize. This is work that will allow us to ensure peace and security on our border and will directly benefit our peoples.”

The opening of the Tienditas bridge is part of a process of reestablishing border crossings that began September 26 with the opening of the Simón Bolívar and Francisco de Paula Santander bridges along the border with Norte de Santander. With the commissioning of the Atanasio Girardot bridge, since the beginning of 2023 all the crossings are fully enabled, including those of Arauca, Puerto Santander and river crossings.

The Atanasio Girardot bridge is located about 20 minutes from downtown Cúcuta, near the Villa Silvania sector, and about 10 kilometers north of the existing Simón International Bridge. The bridge crosses the Táchira River, and has six lanes for vehicles to circulate in both directions.

Some of the land border crossings with Venezuela have been closed for up to 7 years.

Crossing Requirements

Venezuela to Colombia

Drivers must have documents proving ownership of vehicle
SOAT or equivalent insurance coverage
License plates in good condition
Vehicle in optimal mechanical and safety conditions
For stays exceeding 3 months, the vehicle must pass a mechanical/safety review
Drivers must have a current, valid driver license
All individuals must have a valid passport, Venezuelan cédula, Special Permanence Permit (PEP), Temporary Protection Permit (PPT), or Border Mobility Card (TMF).

Colombia to Venezuela

Driver must have proof of ownership of the vehicle
Proof of insurance coverage valid within Venezuela
License plates in good condition
Vehicle in optimal mechanical and safety conditions
Drivers must have a current, valid driver license
All individuals must have a valid passport or Colombian cédula

In the case of cargo transport vehicles, in addition to policies and certificates of optimal mechanical and safety conditions, the border authority will require the certificate or document of suitability granted to the company and permission to provide services or complementary permit for the provision of services for cargo.

Travel advisory

Nationals of other countries are advised to consult with their foreign ministry regarding travel requirements and advice for Venezuela. The US State Department flatly states: “Do not travel to Venezuela due to crime, civil unrest, poor health infrastructure, kidnapping, and the arrest and detention of U.S. citizens without due process or fair trial guarantees.”

Peru’s Government Issues Formal Protest, Calls Gustavo Petro’s Statements “Unacceptable”

Loren Moss — Wed, 21 Dec 2022 13:38:28 +0000

After Petro and other leftist leaders have been scrambling to defend what Latin American pundits are calling dethroned Peruvian President Pedro Castillo’s “Self-Coup,” the Peruvian government has lodged a formal protest with Colombia’s ministry of foreign relations.

Monday, Perú’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued official communiqué 012-22 stating:

On this date, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs delivered a diplomatic note to the Embassy of the Republic of Colombia through which the deep discomfort of the Government of Peru is transmitted in the face of the repeated statements of President Gustavo Petro on the political situation in the country.

President Petro’s statements constitute an unacceptable interference in the internal affairs of Peru, especially serious in the context of acts of violence that have caused unfortunate loss of human life; they are not consistent with the traditional relations of mutual respect, friendship, cooperation and the desire for integration that unite both states and peoples; and they deviate from the prudence that the successive governments of Peru and Colombia have cultivated regarding the internal political affairs of the other State, especially in complex and delicate situations.

On December 7th, embattled Peruvian President Pedro Castillo attempted to rid himself of the country’s congress and rule by decree, unimpeded by the checks and balances of a democratic government. No other branches of the government supported his gambit, including the military and members of his own cabinet. Congress, supported by the country’s prosecutor’s office, moved to remove Castillo from power, refusing to allow Peru to become a Venezuelan or Nicaraguan style dictatorship. Castillo was replaced by his own Vice President and campaign running mate, Dina Boluarte, as per the Peruvian constitution.

Above photo: Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro (left) has expressed an ideological affinity for disgraced Peruvian President Pedro Castillo (right).

Realizing his power-play had failed, would-be left-wing strongman Castillo attempted to escape and flee to the Mexican embassy, but was captured and is now in Lima’s Barbadillo prison with former right-wing strongman Alberto Fujimori.

Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro, himself a former armed leftist guerilla, joined Mexico’s Manuel Lopez Obrador, Nicolás Maduro, and other leftist Latin American politicians in a collectivist howl of protest over the failure of Peru’s government to go along with Castillo’s power grab. Petro called on the Interamerican Commission on Human Rights to defend Castillo, but the multilateral organization did the opposite, on December 8th issuing a statement saying in part:

The former President of the Republic, Pedro Castillo, announced through a message to the nation on the morning of December 7, his decision to dissolve the Congress of the Republic and install an emergency government that would act through decree-laws. In addition, he announced the curfew, as well as the reorganization of the justice system, including the judiciary, the Constitutional Court, the Public Ministry and the National Board of Justice, among other aspects.

The Commission considers that the announced action does not comply with the provisions of Article 134 of the Constitution regarding the unilateral dissolution of Congress. In addition, it decrees the suspension of constitutional rights related to freedom of locomotion, association without specific criteria; and orders, unilaterally, the reorganization of the entire judiciary.

Internally, the decision was denounced as a coup by some institutions of the other state powers, and rejected among them by the Constitutional Court , the Ombudsman’s Office , the Presidency of the Judiciary , the Attorney General of the Republic , the Attorney General ‘s Office , the National Police and the Armed Forces . Additionally, Congress made the decision to declare the presidential vacancy, generating the constitutional succession, former Vice President Dina Boluarte having assumed the Presidency.

The Commission recognizes the immediate action of the institutions of Peru in defense of democracy to avoid the realization of the institutional breakdown and reaffirms that it must be safeguarded by the rule of law. In this regard, the OAS Charter and the Inter-American Democratic Charter, as well as different international instruments establish that respect for human rights; access to power and its exercise with strict adherence to the rule of law; The holding of periodic, free and fair elections and the separation and independence of public powers are essential elements of democracy to achieve stability, peace and development in the region.

Castillo’s failed self-coup led to Dina Boluarte being recognized as Peru’s 1st female vice-president.

Other civil society organizations such as Human Rights Watch also condemned Castillo’s self-coup attempt. The European Union and Organization of American States (OAS) have already sent their regards to new President Boluarte, and the UN Secretary General, António Gutierres, condemned “any attempt to subvert the democratic order,” alluding to the self-coup.

It is far to early to predict how events will play out in Peru. The country was already in a prolonged period of political turmoil when Castillo took office. The country is now convulsing in civil violence as Castillos supporters have taken to the street. Amnesty International has criticized the Peruvian government’s reaction, with clashes and unrest between the government and Castillo supporters, especially in his home region of Cajamarca.

It is also too early to tell how bilateral relations between Peru and Colombia will play out, with Petro behaving as Castillo’s international advocate to the chagrin of Peru’s recognized government.

According to a US State Department travel alert, flights to and from Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) in Cusco, Alfredo Rodriguez Ballón International Airport (AQP) in Arequipa, Juliaca Inca Manco Cápac Airport (JUL) near Puno, and Andahuaylas Airport (ANS) are temporarily suspended. Train service to and from Aguas Calientes/Machu Picchu Village remains suspended. Travelers in Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and in Aguas Calientes/Machu Picchu Village have been advised by the embassy to shelter in place until safe transportation options become available.

Headline photo courtesy of Colombian Ministry of Foreign Relations.

US Issues Travel Warning For Colombia As Duque Fails To Stop ELN

Loren Moss — Tue, 08 Mar 2022 15:34:07 +0000

Even though Ivan Duque is traveling to the White House in Washington DC this week to meet President Joe Biden, perhaps as a “thank you” for his administration being a relatively consistent ally to the United States, the US State department has issued a “Do Not Travel” security advisory due to a worsening public security situation in the tourism dependent country.

President Duque’s administration will wind down this summer and if all goes according to law, hand over the government to a new president on August 7^th. However, he is leaving a legacy of having not only failed to make progress implementing the historic peace accords negotiated by the previous administration of Juan Manuel Santos, his administration, unlike that of his political godfather Alvaro Uribe, has also failed to stop the ELN. In fact, the violent leftist rural mafia group has grown stronger, making a mockery of the president, and his responsibility to provide security. Even the government itself warns that the state has grown weaker. Just last year, organized criminals were so emboldened as to shoot up the presidential helicopter as Duque attempted to land in Cúcuta, the largest city on Colombia’s eastern border.

US government personnel can no longer travel freely throughout Colombia for security reasons. Instead of effectively fighting the ELN narco-gangsters, who is taking the fight to the police in Colombia’s largest cities, Duque’s police are condemned for attacking journalists, children, and pedestrians instead. Two weeks ago, a prominent foreign executive was gunned down in a lush suburb of Medellín, adding to the string of killings affecting foreigners and Colombians alike.

US State Department Urges: “Reconsider Travel To Colombia” Due To Worsening Conditions

Loren Moss — Fri, 30 Oct 2020 21:09:41 +0000

The US Department of State renewed its travel advisory for Colombia today, October 30, 2020, advising travelers in their words “to reconsider travel to Colombia.”

Colombia’s crime and violence situation seems to be worsening as the current administration of Ivan Duque refuses to implement the peace accords signed under the previous administration of Juan Manuel Santos. The crime wave that includes record cocaine production, a rash of assassinations of social and community leaders, and general insecurity seems to have multiple factors from a government unwillingness to impose order and security in rural areas, decreased public trust in institutions, economic challenges due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, and a Venezuelan refugee crisis.

The US State department has issued a bulletin advising US citizens and nationals to “Reconsider travel to Colombia due to COVID-19 and to exercise increased caution in Colombia due to crime, terrorism and kidnapping. The department has invited the public to read the Department of State’s COVID-19 page before planning any international travel.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 3 Travel Health Notice for Colombia due to COVID-19.

Colombia has lifted stay at home orders and resumed some transportation and business operations though this weekend, several areas such as the department of Antioquia, home to Colombia’s second largest city of Medellín has imposed new restrictions this weekend cancelling Halloween trick-or-treating, banning alcohol sales until next Tuesday, and imposing a night-time curfew between 10pm and 6am even in small rural towns throughout the department.

The US State Department says:

Do Not Travel to:

Arauca, Cauca (except Popayan), Chocó (except Nuquí), Nariño, and Norte de Santander (except Cucuta) 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.

U.S. government personnel are prohibited from traveling freely throughout Colombia for security reasons.

Read the country information page.

According to the State Department, If you decide to travel to Colombia:

See the S. Embassy’s web page regarding COVID-19.
Visit the CDC’s webpage on Travel and COVID-19.
Be aware of your surroundings.
Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your plans based on new information.
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
Follow the Department of State on Facebookand Twitter.
Review the Crime and Safety Reportsfor Colombia.
S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.

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 the State Department 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.

Assistance:

U.S. Embassy Bogota, Colombia
Tel. +57-1-275-2000
acsbogota@state.gov
https://co.usembassy.gov/
U.S. Consular Agency, Barranquilla
conagencybarranquilla@state.gov
U.S. Department of State – Consular Affairs
1-888-407-4747 or 1-202-501-4444
Colombia Country Information
Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates
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