Ways to Stay Safe During Colombia's Current Era of Instability

10.  Stay away from the Southern border area with Ecuador.  The one exception is staying inside the city of Ipiales, Nariño, Colombia, within several miles of the border.

9.  Stay away from the Northern border at Cúcuta, near the mess in Venezuela that has spilled millions of desperate refugees into northern Colombia .. most of them then heading south.

8.  Stay in the toniest, best-secured area of any city.  This is where the most security is.  The malditos choose targets in the same way as wolves in the wild -- looking for the easiest, weakest-appearing potential victim.  Travel or go around with a friend or adult family member when possible.

7.  Become known by your neighbors, known as a friendly and visible person who makes an effort to speak to them in their language .. and does not disparage Colombia's problems or its generally tasteless arepas.,)  Being known to the community assists the locals in protecting and advising you.

6.  Avoid exploratory trips and visits to unknown or reportedly dicey places, sectors and municipalities.

5.  Do not challenge weaponized maliantes if you ever encounter them on the street.  Presume that they have paramilitary training and may be desperate.  Give up your cash on hand if it is demanded .. so you can go on with your life.

4.  Consider the Coffee Zone.  Some bad guys have weekend places there, but the zone has historically been peaceful.  One reason is that the dependable coffee economy has given local men income so they are not attracted to the guerrilla life.

3.  Learn about body language, taking advantage of widely available guidance on the Internet and Kindle Books.  When out in public, stay alert and show it.  If waiting alone at a bus-stop with obscured vision due to the logistics of the spot, stand don't sit.  Keep your eyes moving around and your hands in your jacket or coat pockets (does not apply to steamy lowlands areas where no Expat would wear a coat).

2.  Do not wear bling or a fancy watch .. nor show that you have electronics on your person beyond possibly a flip-phone.  Use any phone outside of public view when practical.  Carry any laptop or other web-ready device in a bag that does not scream 'there are electronics inside this bag'.

And the number-one way to handle yourself as an Expat or visitor in Colombia....

1.  Stay off the intercity roads at night.  If you do not want to read about how an Expat's life can be threatened if he or she violates this nighttime advice, do not click on the link below .....

   https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=634337