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For those who have been there recently... how bad is it there for Gringos ? How bad is the economy.. is it noticebly worse than before ? Came across an article ..

"Reuters - Wednesday August 29 9:04 PM ET
      BOGOTA, Colombia (Reuters) - The United Nations made a dramatic call on Wednesday
      for Colombia's government and leftist rebels to make a fresh effort to negotiate a peace
      agreement and stop a slide into all-out war.
      ``The secretary-general of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, is deeply concerned by the
      deteriorating situation in Colombia,'' Annan's special adviser on Colombia, Jan Egeland, told
      a news conference in Bogota."

... in response to Colombia.. how bad ??, posted by newby Jim on Sep 1, 2001

We have all heard about the prominence of kidnapping in Colombia, but it seems to be a distant problem that is happening somewhere else and to someone else.

Unfortunately, I have just heard some very bad news regarding friends of mine in Cali. They own and run a restaurant just south of Cali and are doing pretty well by Colombian standards. Earlier this week, a pair of goons from the FANC popped up at their house and demanded $4,000 as a "settlement". The choice was theirs - pay up or face the real possibility of being kidnapped, bombed or even killed. This is a real event that happened within the past week to people I know.

I hope that everyone considering a trip to Cali will take this into account.

... in response to Kidnapping in Colombia, posted by TG on Sep 1, 2001

More on kidnappings in Cali and Choco. Go to yahoo, search Colombia then click on "latest news". The Cali beauty queen and boy friend released but a Swede kidnapped by obscure faction in Choco.

... in response to Kidnapping in Colombia, posted by TG on Sep 1, 2001

uh huh...and just this week in my city three men broke into a home (home invasion style) shot the man of the house beat up the woman , took all their belongings. soooo lets stay away from the u s a. anywhere you go in the world you will find crime. use common sense and be aware of your surroundings no matter where you travel.

... in response to Re: Kidnapping in Colombia, posted by pack on Sep 2, 2001

I'm not saying to stay away, but the reality of this happening to people that I know made it all the more real to me.

Like you say - be aware and use discretion if you choose to travel in Colombia.

... in response to Re: Re: Kidnapping in Colombia, posted by TG on Sep 2, 2001

or brazil,or peru, or new york, or hong kong,or africa, ormiami, or west LA,orjust about anywhere in the world.

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Kidnapping in Colombia, posted by pack on Sep 2, 2001

Pack is quite right and Mexico would have been a good example too.
If anyone sees an update on the Swede who was kidnapped from the Choco tourist area on the Pacific coast yesterday I hope you'll post it. That's where I happen to be headed in two weeks.

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Kidnapping in Colombia, posted by Cali vet on Sep 2, 2001

yea you are rightMexico and dont forget the philipines. vet you are going to the very area where the latest kidnapping took place? dont do it vet...instead go to Ricardos agency and get kidnapped by a beauty!

... in response to Kidnapping in Colombia, posted by TG on Sep 1, 2001

About 3 months ago ELN killed my girlfriend's cousin. About a month ago they kidnapped 3 workers from her office.

Both of these events happened in Bucaramanga.

... in response to Colombia.. how bad ??, posted by newby Jim on Sep 1, 2001

See:

http://news.24.com/News24/World/Americas/0,1113,2-10-33_1073509,00.html

I have been to four different cities in Colombia over the last two years: Bogota, Igague, Cartagena, and Santa Marta.

In my opinion, unless the guerillas decide to take the war to the cities, it is still safe to go to Colombia. Be sure to follow some common sense safety rules:

1. Do not travel overland in Colombia.

2. Always ask a local if it is safe to go to a particular place.

3. Do not go out alone at night.

4. Do not flash a lot of cash or jewelry.

4. Stay in well-travelled areas, or areas where you will not find yourself alone and in the dark.

If you go, have a good time.

... in response to Have you read this?, posted by briloop on Sep 1, 2001

welcome aboard briloop

  I read the report, a wonderful case of yellow journalism from south africa. Not one new fact but a compilation of the news from the last month. To keep yourself current try the Colombian times, a listing of most articles about Colombia written in english language newspapers.  
    The travel advice ( other than not traveling overland) is what I would advise to anyone going to NY, Detroit, or Miami. I believe that most members agree with you on the fear and sensational level "its vastly overated" the war is in the campo. No one is paying attention in the cities.

     I  believe that we are pressing the colombians to get tough privately while saying we welcome peace publicly.

We killed Pablo just because he pissed us off.

QUIZ
1 who is in charge of foreign affairs,
2 who is the secretary of state.
3 what did he used to do for a living.
4 Do you think he would have given Saddam a neutral zone.  
5 who is the presidents father.
6 who ordered Pablo killed
7 who is visiting Colombia this month
8 is it possible he is just stopping by for a bump
9 what do you think we would do if the cities were attacked in force
10 what do the colombians have that we need? clue: looks like coffee
11 what is the next country north of Colombia
12 do you think Plan Colombia is only about drugs

PS
If no one hears from me after the 25th send money, post it Attn: F.A.R.C.     you all get an A+

... in response to Colombia.. how bad ??, posted by newby Jim on Sep 1, 2001

I have been to colombia twice this year already and have two more trips planned before the end of the year.
Yes you have to be careful but I have had no problems down there.
I think for many people they use the problems as an excuse to not go. It realy is too bad because once you go you are addicted to the many beautiful women, food, culture, etc etc  etc.And the ideas you had before you went are soon forgotten.
Clint

... in response to Colombia.. how bad ??, posted by newby Jim on Sep 1, 2001

yes the economy is bad...but as long as i have been going to cali its always been bad. peace talks???? they dont seem to work...i say its kick @$$ time in colombia!!! i was recently in cali for 18 days and saw no violence or problems of any kind. nows the time to go the dollar is strong there, the ladies are plentiful, and the agencies are dealing.

... in response to Re: Colombia.. how bad ??, posted by pack on Sep 1, 2001

Agreed!  kick the daylight out of those socialist killers FARC and ELN

... in response to Re: Re: Colombia.. how bad ??, posted by Raptor on Sep 2, 2001

Right but let's not overlook the fact that the rightwing AUC or Autodefensas have committed most of the worst masacres like the one in Naya two months ago where they used chainsaws on some of the villagers.

... in response to Re: Re: Colombia.. how bad ??, posted by Raptor on Sep 2, 2001

send them old videos of bagdad and bosnia...and end the video with ..your next!