South America

Ecuador: Emergency Decree Extended in Quito

Date: October 20th, 2010 |

The U.S. Embassy in Quito reported that the Ecuadorian government’s “state of exception” imposed on Sept. 30 following police protests has been extended to 60 days in Quito but lifted throughout the rest of the country. The emergency decree gives the military law enforcement authority in Quito. The Embassy’s announcement noted that Quito is listed [read more]

Peru: Another Tourist Plane Crashes in Nazca

Date: October 6th, 2010 |

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A tourist aircraft crashed in Nazca on a flight to view the Nazca Lines, killing all six aboard: four British tourists and the Peruvian pilot and co-pilot. The crash was the latest in a series of disasters with the popular flight tours. In February, six South American tourists and their pilot died in a crash, [read more]

Peru: Cuzco Elections Could Prompt Travel Disruptions

Date: September 22nd, 2010 |

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The U.S. Embassy in Lima alerted travelers to municipal elections in Cuzco scheduled for Oct. 3 that could produce strikes and political demonstrations that may disrupt travel in the area. Trade unions, students and others began a 48-hour strike Sept. 21 that shut down the popular tourist train between Cuzco and Machu Picchu, and demonstrations [read more]

Venezuela: Violent Crime Rate Remains Sky High

Date: September 1st, 2010 |

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Venezuela is facing a crime crisis of such proportions that its murder rate in 2009 was dramatically higher than Iraq’s, a country with a similar size population and active war zones. More than 19,000 murders occurred in Venezuela, making it one of the world’s most dangerous countries. Small gangs are responsible for much of the [read more]

Venezuela: Dengue Fever on the Rise

Date: July 14th, 2010 |

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Dengue fever has increased more than 80 percent over 2009 figures and almost 10 percent of the cases have been hemorrhagic dengue fever, which can be fatal. The states most affected are Miranda, Merida, and the Capital District of Caracas. The government has implemented a program to control mosquitoes by fumigating homes and destroying breeding [read more]

Brazil: Drug Gangs Robbed Drivers En Masse in Rio

Date: October 13th, 2010 |

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Crime in Rio de Janeiro is not news, but recent attacks by armed drug gang members have been especially brazen. They set up roadblocks and robbed drivers stuck in the traffic jams, yanking some from their cars and in some cases making off with their vehicles. At least 10 of these robberies occurred in the [read more]

Ecuador: Express Kidnappings Increase in Quito

Date: September 29th, 2010 |

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The U.S. Embassy in Quito reported an increase in express kidnappings in the capital where victims are abducted and forced to empty their bank accounts at ATMs or in local banks. Most such kidnappings have previously occurred in Guayaquil, but they are on the rise in Quito, especially at night in the Mariscal District, a [read more]

Bolivia and Peru: Bubonic Plague in Border Region

Date: September 1st, 2010 |

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An outbreak of bubonic plague is occurring along the border in the Bolivian province of La Paz and Peru’s Ascope. Bolivia’s health authorities put La Paz on epidemiological alert, with one death and three more suspected cases in the town of Apolo. One person has died and 30 have been affecte [read more]

Bolivia: Protesters Isolate Potosi, Go on Hunger Strike

Date: August 10th, 2010 |

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Protesting miners trapped some 100 foreign tourists for a week in Potosi, where they blocked all roads in and out of the city and piled boulders on the airport’s runways to prevent evacuation. On Aug. 9 they cut off the rail line to Chile and some began a hunger strike to press their grievances against [read more]

Ecuador: Tungurahua Volcano near Baños Calms Down

Date: June 30th, 2010 |

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Seismic activity at Tungurahua volcano 80 miles from Quito near Baños has diminished significantly in the past few weeks, prompting Ecuadorian authorities to reduce the warning level from orange to yellow and the U.S. Embassy in Quito to lift its notice to avoid the area around the volcano. Small explosions and emissions continue but without [read more]

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