"Paz" for Colombia
The following is a security warning I just received from via email from the U.S. Embassy:
"This Warden Message is to alert American citizens traveling to or residing in Colombia that the U.S. Embassy has received information indicating that the terrorist organization known as the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC) may be planning to target U.S. citizens in the town of Melgar, in Tolima Department. The Embassy recommends that U.S. citizens avoid travel to Melgar until further notice. For U.S. citizens already in Melgar, the Embassy urges them to maintain a low profile and to avoid restaurants, bars, and other public places until further notice."
Melgar is a town located in an area we call "Tierra Caliente"/(Hot Country) that we like to go to once in a while to escape the chilly weather of Bogota; it's about a 3 hour drive from Bogota. I was surprised and saddened to hear this notice because Melgar has always been very safe to travel to while I've been living in Colombia. I am hopeful that this warning will just be temporary.
I greatly admire President Uribe, and think he is a wonderful president. Last week, my sister Amy and my long-time friend Eunice expressed their strong support for Pres. Bush (Amy happily received a "W for President" shirt from Eunice; now they can be twins and wear them together. Their loyalty, admiration, and enthusiastically expressive support for Bush was really fun to see!). During this time, I shared that Colombia's president has become my favorite president.
President Uribe continues to fight doggedly for peace in Colombia. He has been pro-active in working with the U.S. to fight drug-trafficking and terrorism in Colombia. He is determined to bring safety and improve the quality of living in Colombia.
I've had a few fears living in Bogota:
1) Fear of being pick-pocketed (which has never happened)
2) Fear of being run over by careless drivers as I cross the street
3) Fear of evil or deceitful taxi-drivers
4) Fear of getting cancer from all the bus pollution, etc. etc. etc.....
But, I've always felt relatively safe in Bogota because of Uribe's efforts to keep it safe from more serious crimes (e.g. kidnappings and bombings).
I will continue to pray for "paz"/peace for Colombia, and encourage you to join me.
It's such a beautiful country, and I wish everyone would have the chance to experience it.
"This Warden Message is to alert American citizens traveling to or residing in Colombia that the U.S. Embassy has received information indicating that the terrorist organization known as the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC) may be planning to target U.S. citizens in the town of Melgar, in Tolima Department. The Embassy recommends that U.S. citizens avoid travel to Melgar until further notice. For U.S. citizens already in Melgar, the Embassy urges them to maintain a low profile and to avoid restaurants, bars, and other public places until further notice."
Melgar is a town located in an area we call "Tierra Caliente"/(Hot Country) that we like to go to once in a while to escape the chilly weather of Bogota; it's about a 3 hour drive from Bogota. I was surprised and saddened to hear this notice because Melgar has always been very safe to travel to while I've been living in Colombia. I am hopeful that this warning will just be temporary.
I greatly admire President Uribe, and think he is a wonderful president. Last week, my sister Amy and my long-time friend Eunice expressed their strong support for Pres. Bush (Amy happily received a "W for President" shirt from Eunice; now they can be twins and wear them together. Their loyalty, admiration, and enthusiastically expressive support for Bush was really fun to see!). During this time, I shared that Colombia's president has become my favorite president.
President Uribe continues to fight doggedly for peace in Colombia. He has been pro-active in working with the U.S. to fight drug-trafficking and terrorism in Colombia. He is determined to bring safety and improve the quality of living in Colombia.
I've had a few fears living in Bogota:
1) Fear of being pick-pocketed (which has never happened)
2) Fear of being run over by careless drivers as I cross the street
3) Fear of evil or deceitful taxi-drivers
4) Fear of getting cancer from all the bus pollution, etc. etc. etc.....
But, I've always felt relatively safe in Bogota because of Uribe's efforts to keep it safe from more serious crimes (e.g. kidnappings and bombings).
I will continue to pray for "paz"/peace for Colombia, and encourage you to join me.
It's such a beautiful country, and I wish everyone would have the chance to experience it.
posted by Bon @ 4:43 PM
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