The United States on Wednesday warned Americans against all travel to Colombia, citing surges in leftist and paramilitary violence as well as kidnappings and possibly increased threats against US interests for Washington's support of Bogota's anti-drug programs.
The warning, issued by the State Department, followed a mass kidnapping on Monday of oil workers employed by the US Occidental Petroleum Corporation by the leftist National Liberation Army.
Although none of the employees are US citizens, the State Department noted that such kidnappings are commonplace in Colombia and that in the past two decades almost 120 Americans had been abducted there, at least 14 of whom were murdered.
"More than 3,000 people are kidnapped each year throughout Colombia, and there is a greater risk of being kidnapped in Colombia than in any other country in the world," the State Department said in a statement.
The department also noted that since Washington began its 1.3-billion-dollar aid program to assist "Plan Colombia," President Andres Pastrana's ambitious peace, anti-drug and social program, threats against Americans and their property could be expected to rise.
"Threats targeting American citizens are expected to continue and possibly increase in response to US support for Colombian drug eradication programs," it said.
Narcotraffickers, it added "have been known to operate in the border areas of neighboring countries, creating similar dangers for travelers in those areas."
"US citizens of all age groups and occupations, both tourists and residents, have been victimized," it said – WASHINGTON (AFP)
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