Is it safe to travel to Colombia? What Americans should know.
- A diplomatic dispute between the U.S. and Colombia resulted in travel restrictions for Colombian officials and their families.
- The U.S. has also increased customs and border inspections for all Colombian nationals.
- While Americans can still travel to Colombia, the State Department urges them to reconsider travel due to crime and terrorism.
A diplomatic standoff between President Donald Trump and Colombian President Gustavo Petro over the weekend resulted in travel restrictions placed upon the Latin American country.
On Sunday, Colombian President Gustavo Petro refused two U.S. repatriation flights after deportees returned to the country with their hands bound. In response, Trump threatened tariffs and Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the suspension of visa issuance and travel ban for Colombian officials and their families as well as increased customs and border inspections for all Colombian nationals.
“Measures will continue until Colombia meets its obligations to accept the return of its own citizens,” according to a Sunday memo posted by the U.S. State Department. “America will not back down when it comes to defending its national security interests.”
Petro and Trump later reached an agreement, with Colombia conceding to “all of President Trump’s terms,” according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. The travel restrictions will remain in effect until the first group of deportees is flown back to Colombia, with hundreds of long awaited visa appointments canceled on Monday for Colombians aiming to enter into the U.S.
The political tension has complicated travel between the two countries, raising safety concerns for both Americans and Colombians. Colombia has recently surged in popularity as a travel and retirement destination abroad, experiencing a 24.3% rise in international visitors between 2022 and 2023 – many of them Americans – according to BBVA Research.
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“I think we’re in for a number of these types of situations moving forward, it’s just going to become the normal so to speak,” said Mike Ballard, director of intelligence at travel security firm Global Guardian.
Here’s what to know about travel to and from Colombia.
Can Americans travel to Colombia?
Yes, Americans can still visit Colombia and the current restrictions don’t apply to them, according to the State Department website.
Is it safe to travel to Colombia?
Popular destinations like Bogota and Medellin continue to be “as safe as they’ve been” for travelers, according to Ballard, while the major safety concerns are in the rural or jungle areas where insurgent militia groups are. “I wouldn’t be any more concerned than before,” he said.
On Jan. 2, the State Department reissued a Level 3 travel advisory urging Americans to “reconsider travel” to Colombia, an increase from the previous Level 2 (“exercise increased caution”). The advisory warns travelers of crime and terrorism, including violent crime like homicide and assault as well as attacks by terrorist groups and criminal organizations, with certain areas like near the border of Venezuela posing a greater risk.
Ballard said these advisories could be “somewhat used as political tools.”
Some travelers to Colombia may be worried about being targeted or harassed based on anti-American sentiment following the high-level spat. “This issue is unlikely to warrant or merit any type of extraordinary focus or targeting of Americans,” said Ballard. “Anecdotally, of what we heard from folks on the ground, is they’re more upset with their president and what’s going on on the higher levels between governments.”
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