Safety in Colombia

[valuedcustomer]

The last time I was in Santa Marta my novia wanted me to go to Park Tayrona.  I decided to pass, sticking to my rule not to leave the city.  Today, my novia called me and told me one of her girlfriends was camping there with her friends and they were all murdered by thieves.  And today I saw in El Tiempo where 8 tourists were kidnapped.  They were part of a tour group going to the lost city in the Sierra Nevadas.  

Don’t let anyone talk you out of staying in the city.  They will try.

[jim c]

... in response to Safety in Colombia, posted by valuedcustomer on Sep 14, 2003

I posted the article from el universal last month. The guides that did it were dragged from their houses and executed by the paras. jim c

[cancunhound]

... in response to Safety in Colombia, posted by valuedcustomer on Sep 14, 2003

I have not found any news about this incident - are you sure?  I would have thought this to be headlines in the local papers.  The other group, the kidnapped bunch was on their trek to Perdida, that's quite a bit east of "Tayrona" that most visit.  I found Tayrona to be one of the safest places to visit in Colombia - hopefully that hasn't changed.  Of course - I wouldn't camp there - just hit the beaches for the day.

[valuedcustomer]

... in response to Re: Tayrona, posted by cancunhound on Sep 16, 2003

She said it happened 30 days ago.

[Cali vet]

... in response to Re: Re: Tayrona, posted by valuedcustomer on Sep 16, 2003

It was more like a couple of months ago. Two colombiana chicas at the park were attacked and raped by a couple of local guides. They were then killed with machetes. The park is controlled by the paramilitaries. When the guides were identified and brought to Barranquilla they were quickly murdered by the paras before the police could intervene.