On the morning of Monday 10 August, Colombia suffered an earthquake affecting large parts of the country. The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has released travel advice for those there and within the surrounding are , or those expected to travel to the region. Initial reports indicate a magnitude of 7.4 with its epicentre near San José del Palmar in the department of Chocó in the West of Colombia.
Disruption to travel and airport closures continues as Matecaña International Airport in Pereira is currently closed.
The FCDO has advised against all but essential travel to Colombia-Venezuela border and northern Colombia. This includes:
- all of Norte de Santander Department, including Cúcuta.
- all of Arauca Department
- the municipality of Puerto Carreño in Vichada Department
- within 5km of the rest of the border with Venezuela.
FCDO currently advises against all travel to Venezuela’s border regions with Colombia and travellers are reminded to not use any of the Colombia-Venezuela land crossings.
FCDO is also advising against all but essential travel to Pacific coast and Colombia-Panama border
- Chocó Department, except for the department capital Quibdó, the towns of Nuquí and Bahía Solano and Capurganá
- the western part of Valle del Cauca Department, including Buenaventura
- the municipality of Jamundí, Valle del Cauca
- the South Pacific, Sanquianga and Telembi regions of Nariño Department
- the southern part of Córdoba Department
- the Urabá and Bajo Cauca regions of Antioquia Department
- the southern part of Bolívar Department
Central Colombia
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:
- all of Guaviare Department, except for the department capital San José del Guaviare
- Cartagena del Chairá, San Vicente del Caguan, Puerto Rico, El Doncello, Paujil and La Montañita in Caquetá Department
- the Ariari region of southern Meta, except for Caño Cristales
If travelling to the tourist site of Caño Cristales, travel by air from the town of La Macarena with a reputable tour company.
Colombia-Ecuador border and southern Colombia
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to within 5km of the border with Ecuador except for:
- all of Cauca Department, except for the department capital Popayán
- the border crossing on the Pan-American highway at the Puente Internacional de Rumichaca
- the city of Ipiales in Nariño Department
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Orito, San Miguel, Valle del Guamuez, Puerto Caicedo, Puerto Guzmán, Puerto Asis and Puerto Leguizamo in Putumayo Department.
