A major guerrilla offensive targeting the Colombian capital and specific threats to the diplomatic community have led to the temporary closure of several foreign embassies.
The United States, Britain, Italy announced the temporary closure of their diplomatic missions here on Thursday, while Belgium, Canada and Sweden were mulling similar measures, according to diplomatic sources. Embassies from other countries including France and Holland remained open for business yesterday.
A government official said the spate of embassy closings was triggered by a warning issued by Colombia's defense ministry, but did not elaborate. A statement from Britain's Foreign Office in London said the British and Italian embassies and the US consulate had closed after it (the Foreign Office) had warned them against "urban terrorism."
A series of bombings chiefly in Bogota and other cities in the past two weeks have raised fear levels among Colombians, who are already used to a very high level of violence. Police attribute the car and package bombings that have killed one person and left more than 60 wounded, including Senator German Vargas, to the leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia rebel group. Earlier this week, police said they had uncovered a guerrilla plan to detonate several remote controlled car bombs in Bogota.
The United States said it had temporarily closed the consular section of its embassy through December 26 "after a security review."
A US State Department official in Washington who asked not to be identified said emergency services for American citizens at the consular section and other US embassy operations remained functional and were not affected by the shut-down.
The official could not provide any details on specific threats to the embassy or US personnel. "As we receive information related to the safety and security of American citizens in Colombia, we will alert the public through the consular information program and embassy warden system," the official said.
Current State Department travel advice warns American citizens against traveling to Colombia, saying that they could fall victims of threats, kidnappings and murder.
AFP