COUNTRY BRIEF - COLOMBIA

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1 SSI RM Security & Risk Management Consultancy 'Safe in our hands' International House, George Curl Way, Southampton, SO18 2RZ w: e: t: +44 (0) COUNTRY BRIEF - COLOMBIA SSI RM DIRECTOR'S SUMMARY Colombia presents a number of hazards that need to be managed. Specific precautions should be taken to reduce the threat from criminals. The security situation in Colombia can change quickly so it needs to be closely monitored so that appropriate security measures and risk controls can be implemented. Take precautions against mosquitoes and biting insects. Map Crown Copyright 2017 (FCO363 Edition 4). RISK INDICES Country Risk Rating The Country Risk Rating for Colombia is 'three' Out of the 160 countries analysed by SSI RM's Country Risk Assessment Index Colombia is ranked #61 (the higher the ranking the better). For reference the United States of America is ranked #114. Executive Summary Internal Stability Index Conflict Index Terrorism Index Corruption Index Travel Safety Index Crime Index 1

2 Internal Stability Index The Internal Stability Index rating for Colombia is 'moderate risk' with a score of For reference other countries with a similar score for internal stability are Israel (78.9) and Honduras (79.1). Colombia is an unstable country due to the influence of the illegal drugs trade. The threat is worse in major cities, rural areas where coca is grown, and border areas where drugs are trafficked. Conflict Index The Conflict Index rating for Colombia is 'moderate risk' with a score of For reference other countries with a similar score for conflict are Turkey (2.777) and Mexico (2.646). There are no major trans-national issues likely to escalate into inter-state conflict. However, the drugs trade has destabilised the entire region and economic refugees from Venezuela are becoming an issue in relations between the two countries. Terrorism Index The Terrorism Index rating for Colombia is 'moderate risk' with a score of For reference other countries with a similar score for terrorism are Lebanon (5.638) and Mali (5.880). The threat comes from the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissidents from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) but foreign interests are not usually the target. Avoid public buildings, large gatherings of people and areas regularly visited by foreigners. Corruption Index The Corruption Index rating for Colombia is 'moderate risk' with a score of 37. 2

3 For reference other countries with a similar score for corruption are Morocco (37) and Liberia (37). Corruption is a major obstacle to doing business in Colombia. Ernst & Young s Global Fraud Survey 2016 shows that 80% of companies interviewed agree that bribery and other corrupt practices happen widely doing businesses in Colombia. Businesses report excessive red tape and very high tax burdens. Travel Safety Index The Travel Safety Index rating for Colombia is 'moderate risk'. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to: the port of Buenaventura in the department of Valle de Cauca; and, the port of Tumaco in the department of Nariño. The FCO advise against all but essential travel to: the departments of Putumayo, Arauca, Caquetá, Guaviare, Guainía, Vichada, and Norte de Santander (except their capital cities, as indicated on the map); the department of Cauca (except its capital Popayán and the road between the tourist site of the San Agustin ruins in Huila and Popayán city); the department of Chocó (except its capital Quibdó, the whale-watching towns of Nuquí and Bahía Solano, and the tourist site of Capurganá); the department of Nariño (except its capital Pasto and the Ipiales border crossing); the department of Meta (except its capital Villavicencio, and the tourist site of Caño Cristales); visitors travelling to Caño Cristales should only do so with a reputable tour company travelling by air to and from the town of La Macarena; within 5km of the Venezuelan border in the departments of La Guajira, César and Boyaca; and, rural areas in northern Antioquia, southern Cordoba, southern Valle de Cauca, and southern Bolivar (as indicated on the map). Crime Index The Crime Index rating for Colombia is 'moderate risk'. Despite improvements in security, crime rates remain high in Colombia. Illegal armed groups and other criminal groups are heavily involved in the drugs trade and serious crime including 3

4 kidnapping (for ransom and political purposes), money laundering and running extortion and prostitution rackets. Street crime is a problem in major cities, including Bogota, Medellin, Cali and the Caribbean coast. Mugging and pickpocketing can be accompanied by violence. Foreign nationals have been robbed at gun point in the Candelaria area of Bogotá. Be vigilant, particularly if you are in public places used by foreigners, or near official buildings. Avoid deprived areas of cities. Take care on city streets, especially after dark or if you are on your own. High-profile businesses can be targets for criminal gangs and common criminals and will need to consider adapting security for office buildings and high-level personnel. Most major office buildings and residential blocks in smarter areas have private security. Businesses operating outside the main cities should think about protective security and take specialized advice. As in any country, it is the best to avoid any possible criminal threat. SECURITY POSTURE MODERATE An incident/attack is possible but not likely. Clients can operate safely in Colombia if security measures and risk controls are implemented in accordance with the SSI RM Security and Risk Management Plan for Colombia. HEALTH Individuals should visit their health professional 4-6 weeks before deployment to discuss their detailed requirements for medical support, vaccinations, etc, based on their specific health circumstances, e.g. personal medical history. The information in this Country Brief for Colombia is NOT a substitute for this advice. All personnel deploying to Colombia should be covered by adequate health insurance. General The most important precaution that can be taken is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and other biting insects. Medical Facilities Medical facilities in Colombia vary widely in quality. In large cities and state capitals private clinics provide good quality care for routine treatments and complex treatment. Public health facilities and those in smaller cities are generally ill equipped and poorly funded. Health Hazard Yellow Fever 4

5 Typhoid Hepatitis A Rabies Tetanus (booster) Cholera Tuberculosis Encephalitis Meningitis (booster) Influenza Malaria Dengue HIV/AIDS Zika Vaccination Recommendations The following recommendations are based on the assumption that the individual is up-todate with vaccinations for the following diseases (vaccination baseline): diphtheria, measles, tetanus, whooping cough, rubella, polio, hepatitis B, rotavirus, meningitis B & C, and mumps. Yellow Fever OPTIONAL Typhoid OPTIONAL Hepatitis A YES Rabies OPTIONAL Tetanus (booster) YES Cholera NO Tuberculosis NO Encephalitis NO Meningitis (booster) NO Influenza NO It is not necessary to take anti-malarial medication if travel is restricted to major urban areas. OTHER INFORMATION Local Laws and Customs Carry a colour photocopy of the data page and Colombian visa from your passport at all times for identification. Photographing of military or strategic government sites is not allowed. It is a serious criminal offence to have sex with a minor (under 18 years old). Notes: 1. Maps used in SSI RM's Country Briefs are sourced under the Open Government Licence v3.0 from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office's foreign travel advice website. Map Crown Copyright 2017 (FCO363 Edition 4). 5