New (Brief) DS Vacancy Announcements Open

Both the Security Engineering Officer and Security Technical Specialist vacancy announcements are open from April 10 – April 22.  This is the first time in about a year and a half that the SEO position has been open for applications.

As always, I am happy to answer questions about either position within certain limitations.  I do require non-spam e-mail addresses, though.  Contact me at [this blog name] at gmail dot com.

Travel Warning: Colombia

Consular Affairs issued a Travel Warning for Colombia on Monday.  It reads as follows:

Colombia

October 03, 2012

The Department of State reminds U.S. citizens of the dangers of travel to Colombia. Security in Colombia has improved significantly in recent years, including in tourist and business travel destinations such as Cartagena and Bogota, but violence linked to narco-trafficking continues to affect some rural areas and parts of large cities. This replaces the Travel Warning for Colombia issued February 21, 2012, to update information on recent security incidents and terrorist activity.

While the Embassy possesses no information concerning specific and credible threats against U.S. citizens in Colombia, we strongly encourage you to exercise caution and remain vigilant as terrorist and criminal activities remain a threat throughout the country. Two people were killed and approximately 60 injured by a car bomb during an assassination attempt on the life of a former Interior Minister on May 15, 2012. Explosions occur throughout Colombia on a regular basis, including some in Bogota itself. Small towns and rural areas of Colombia can still be extremely dangerous due to the presence of terrorists and narco-traffickers, including armed criminal gangs (referred to as “BACRIMs” in Spanish), that are active throughout much of the country. Violence associated with the BACRIM has spilled over into many of Colombia’s major cities. These groups are heavily involved in the drug trade.

Travel Warning: Lebanon

Consular Affairs issued a Travel Warning for Lebanon on September 17, 2012.  It reads as follows:

Lebanon

September 17, 2012

The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to avoid all travel to Lebanon because of current safety and security concerns. U.S. citizens living and working in Lebanon should understand that they accept risks in remaining and should carefully consider those risks. This supersedes the Travel Warning issued on May 8, 2012, to emphasize information on security, kidnappings, and an upsurge in violence in Lebanon and the region.

The potential in Lebanon for a spontaneous upsurge in violence remains. Lebanese government authorities are not able to guarantee protection for citizens or visitors to the country should violence erupt suddenly. Access to borders, airports, roads, and seaports can be interrupted with little or no warning. Public demonstrations occur frequently with little warning and have the potential to become violent. Family or neighborhood disputes often escalate quickly and can lead to gunfire or other violence with little or no warning. The ability of U.S. government personnel to reach travelers or provide emergency services may be severely limited. 

President Obama, Secretary Clinton Commemorate the Benghazi Four

 

Travel Warning: Libya

Consular Affairs issued a Travel Warning for Libya on September 12.  It reads as follows:

Libya

September 12, 2012

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens against all travel to Libya.  On September 12, 2012 the Department of State ordered the departure of all non-emergency U.S. government personnel from Libya, following the attack on the U.S. Diplomatic mission in Benghazi.  The political violence has increased in both Benghazi and Tripoli.  The airports in Benghazi and Tripoli are open and U.S. citizens are encouraged to depart by commercial air.  This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning dated August 27, 2012.

U.S. citizens traveling to, or remaining in, Libya should use extreme caution and limit nonessential travel within the country, make their own contingency emergency plans, enroll their presence in Libya through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), and provide their current contact information and next-of-kin or emergency contact information.