South America

Ecuador: Armed Robberies on Pichincha Volcano Hiking Trails Outside Quito

Date: December 19th, 2007 |

The U.S. Embassy in Quito reported that violent crime on Pichincha volcano on the outskirts of Quito has been increasing and recommends that visitors do not hike to the summit even if in groups or beginning at the top of the Teleferico cable car. Several armed assaults have occurred in recent months with groups as [read more]

Venezuela: New Time Zone

Date: December 13th, 2007 |

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President Hugo Chavez moved Venezuela into a new time zone all its own Dec. 10 when he set back the official clock 30 minutes, making Venezuela unique in Latin America as the only country not setting its time in increments of one hour from Greenwich Mean Time. The country is now four and a half [read more]

Venezuela: Pro- and Anti-Chavez Conflicts Likely to Continue Until Referendum

Date: November 15th, 2007 |

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Political tensions are high as pro- and anti-President Hugo Chavez demonstrators clashed with each other in Caracas several days after anti-Chavez students fought with security forces throughout the city. More demonstrations are planned for Nov. 26 and others could occur in the days leading up to a Dec. 2 referendum on constitutional reforms that will [read more]

Bolivia: Santa Cruz Airport Disruptions

Date: October 25th, 2007 |

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Alleged corruption at Bolivia’s busiest international airport in Santa Cruz prompted an airport closure, an army takeover to reopen it, and a popular uprising to force the army to pull back Oct. 19. Several aircraft, including an American Airlines jet, were detained on the runway until troops intervened. Airport authorities had been demanding $2,000 cash [read more]

Ecuador: Guayaquil Airport to Close for Repairs

Date: October 18th, 2007 |

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Maintenance work on the runway at Guayaquil’s Jose Joaquin de Olmedo Airport will force the airport to close on four weekends in November and December. Closures will run from 1 a.m. Saturday to 7 a.m. Monday on the following dates: Nov. 10-12, 17-19, 24-26, and Dec. 1-3. Most international flights at those times will be [read more]

Colombia: Armed Robberies on Hiking Trails around Bogota

Date: December 13th, 2007 |

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The U.S. Embassy in Bogota reported that wooded hiking trails in and around the city have been the scene of violent armed robberies of U.S. citizens in the past two months. Embassy officials have restricted American employees and their families from hiking on trails above Avenida Circunvalar in Bogota or at Rocas de Suesca in [read more]

Bolivia: Unrest Prompts Call for Referendum

Date: December 6th, 2007 |

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Political strife between President Evo Morales’ ruling party and the opposition threatens to tear the country apart as a constitutional assembly tries to draft a new constitution by its deadline of Dec. 14. Violent demonstrations have occurred in Sucre and the Amazonian town of Cobija. Tensions are high and more violence is possible, including blocking [read more]

Argentina: Coin Shortage Bedevils Buenos Aires

Date: November 9th, 2007 |

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Coins are hard to come by in Buenos Aires, so finding exact fare for buses or getting exact change back from merchants cannot be counted on. The shortage is blamed on people hoarding coins and bus companies that exploit the shortage by selling their coins to business owners for a small fee, around three percent. [read more]

Ecuador: Tungurahua Volcano Showing Seismic Activity

Date: October 25th, 2007 |

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Tungurahua Volcano, about 85 miles south of Quito near Banos, has been showing increased seismic activity and limited emissions of gas and ash. Geologists are closely monitoring the volcano and the U.S. Embassy in Quito encourages visitors to verify that roads and tourist facilities are open before traveling to the area. Geologists do not consider [read more]

Peru: Tourists to be Counted in National Census

Date: October 11th, 2007 |

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Travelers in Peru on Oct. 21 will have the novel experience of being counted in the national census, not as residents but as visitors. Officials of the National Statistics Institute said that tourists will be able to go about their business so long as they carry their passports with them that day and obtain a [read more]