US Warns Tourists in Colombia of Drone Attacks by Terror Groups

The U.S. Embassy in Colombia has issued a severe travel advisory for the Norte de Santander department in the country's northeast, bordering Venezuela, and specifically the Catatumbo region. American authorities are urging citizens to completely avoid this area and maintain a distance of at least five miles from the border due to threats of kidnapping and violence. The advisory highlights a concerning trend where armed groups, including the ELN terrorist organization, are employing accessible commercial drones equipped with explosives to attack police stations and military facilities. These attacks, according to the embassy, can occur with little to no warning, and residents and visitors are also at risk of extortion and displacement amid power struggles over illegal routes.

The U.S. State Department generally classifies Colombia under Level 3, advising reconsideration of travel, but has designated the northern department as Level 4, urging travelers "Do Not Travel." This heightened alert comes amid a broader increase in violent incidents across Colombia. Notably, four young men were recently shot and killed in a rural area near the tourist city of Cartagena, an event identified by the Colombian monitoring group Indepaz as the 95th massacre of the year. While this incident did not occur in Cartagena's main tourist zones and there's no evidence tourists were targeted, it has raised concerns among visitors.

Israel's National Security Council (NSC) also maintains an active Level 2 travel advisory for Colombia, warning of incidental threats and recommending increased caution. The NSC points to a rise in hostility and antisemitism towards Israelis and Jews globally, with Colombia being a notable location for such incidents, including verbal harassment, threats, incitement, vandalism, and potential physical attacks. The NSC advises travelers to remain highly vigilant, keep a low profile, avoid demonstrations, and have emergency contact information readily available.

Authorities are advising anyone still planning to visit Colombia to avoid government buildings and military installations, stay updated on local news, check security arrangements for planned routes, and under no circumstances confront armed individuals. The country has also recently dealt with natural disasters, including a magnitude 7.4 earthquake in August that caused widespread destruction and fatalities.