WASHINGTON - The State Department on Thursday warned US nationals of dangers in rural and urban Colombia though it said violence in most Colombian cities was on the decline.
"Violence by narcoterrorist groups and other criminal elements continues to affect all parts of the country, urban and rural, and border areas. Citizens of the United States and other countries continue to be the victims of threats, kidnappings, and other violence," the department said in an updated travel warning.
"Violence has decreased markedly in most urban centers, including Bogota, Medellin, Barranquilla, and Cartagena. Nevertheless, since the year 2000, 32 Americans were reported kidnapped in various parts of the country, including four in 2004," the statement said.
"No one can be considered immune on the basis of occupation, nationality or any other factor. A number of kidnappings are committed by terrorist groups, including the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN)," it added.
The department warned that "it is US policy not to make concessions to, or strike deals with terrorists, so the US government's ability to assist kidnapped US citizens is limited."
05/05/2005 14:23 GMT