Security Situation in Colombia – Updated Information (Retrieved on 19.02.2025)

Travel to the immediate border areas with Venezuela in the departments of Norte de Santander and Cesar is strongly discouraged.

Terrorism

The security situation in Colombia has generally deteriorated again in recent years. The peace process with the FARC dissidents and ELN is currently suspended. Since January 15, 2025, armed clashes between organized groups have erupted in the northeastern province of Norte de Santander (bordering Venezuela), leading to significant displacement of the civilian population. On January 22, 2025, a military operation began in the region, and on January 24, 2025, the Colombian government declared a state of emergency.

Since the beginning of the fighting in Norte de Santander, additional groups (ELN, EPL, FARC dissidents, as well as organized crime groups) have engaged in armed conflicts in other parts of the country, including Cesar, Bolívar, Córdoba, and Guaviare. These groups are involved in various criminal activities such as drug trafficking, illegal mining, smuggling, extortion, kidnapping, attacks, violent crimes, and homicides. They aggressively target intruders and potential victims, particularly in Colombia’s border regions with Venezuela and Ecuador, as well as in rural, sparsely populated areas where state control remains inadequate.

Although tourists are generally not the primary targets of attacks, there is a risk of collateral damage.

No terrorist attacks on tourist sites have been reported in recent years.

Remain vigilant, especially in crowded places and during special events.

Travel to the following departments or areas is strongly discouraged, except for travel on main roads between major cities during daylight hours:

 

• Norte de Santander
   
• Arauca (except the capital city of Arauca)
   
• Vichada (except the capital city of Puerto Carreño)
   
• Guainía (except the capital city of Puerto Inírida)
   
• Guaviare (except the capital city of San José del Guaviare)
   
• Caquetá (except the capital city of Florencia)
   
• Eastern and southern parts of Meta (except the tourism region of Caño Cristales)
   
• Putumayo (except the capital city of Mocoa)
   
• Nariño (except the capital city of Pasto and the border crossing at Ipiales)
   
• Cauca
   
• Western parts of Valle del Cauca (including Buenaventura and Jamundí)
   
• Chocó (except the coastal strip between Utría National Park and Punta Arusi)
   
• Rural regions in northern Antioquia
   
• South Córdoba and
   
• South Bolívar
   

Travel to immediate border areas with Venezuela is also discouraged.

Source: Foreign Office (07.07.2024)