Rio Dulce Chisme Vindicator

[XIsle]

Scoop usually gets these out, but I found this one in the daily paper Prensa Libre on line.

From Prensa Libre:

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Embajada de EE.UU. alerta a sus ciudadanos por temporada violenta La embajada de Estados Unidos en Guatemala recomendó a sus ciudadanos no caminar de noche y prevenirse por la posibilidad de sufrir extorsiones, secuestros o robos por el "esperado" aumento de la criminalidad en las fechas de fin de año. * Recomendaciones La sede diplomática de Estados Unidos alerta a sus ciudadanos sobre el incremento de la violencia en la temporada. (Foto Prensa Libre) 1 de 1 Anterior Siguiente POR IRVING ESCOBAR Guatemala Mediante una nota enviada por correo, la embajada señala que no hay zona en la capital que sea segura y la delincuencia va en aumento en las zonas 10, 14 y 15, por lo que sugiere no hablar por teléfono en el vehículo, ni caminar de noche o en su caso hacerlo sin celular, joyas o computadoras. Debido a que en la oficina de seguridad han llegado denuncias de robos a plena vista de la Policía, la embajada pide no dejar vehículos en la calle y no dejar a la vista bolsas, estuches de computadoras o paquetes que puedan parecer valiosos. Sobre la circulación vehicular, EE. UU. sostiene que no son seguras las rutas a El Salvador desde el kilómetro 13 a partir de las 21 horas y la ruta Interamericana a Antigua Guatemala durante la noche. También plantea la necesidad de cambiar recorridos y horarios porque es posible que estén siendo vigilados para ser secuestrados o asaltados. En prevención a extorsiones los ciudadanos estadounidenses están avisados que hay un aumento de estas fechorías y en caso las sufran deben denunciarlo a la Policía y suspender la comunicación con los delincuentes. La embajada concluye no deseando felices fiestas a sus ciudadanos sino una temporada "segura". Lea acá las recomendaciones (en inglés) hechas por la embajada para sus ciudadanos en Guatemala
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U.S. Embassy warning to its citizens for violent season
The U.S. Embassy in Guatemala advised its citizens not to walk at night and prevented by the likelihood of extortion, kidnapping or robbery by the "expected" increase in crime in the year-end dates.

* Recommendations

The U.S. embassy warning its citizens about the increasing violence in the season. (Photo: Free Press)

1 of 1 Previous Next

BY IRVING ESCOBAR Guatemala

By a note sent by mail, the embassy says there is no area in the capital that is safe and crime is increasing in areas 10, 14 and 15, by suggesting not talk on the phone in the car, or walk night or possibly do without phones, jewelry and computers.

Because in the security office received allegations of theft in full view of police, the embassy asked not to leave vehicles on the street and not left exposed bags, computer cases or packages that may look valuable.

On vehicular traffic, EE. UU. argues that there are safe routes to El Salvador from kilometer 13 from the 21 hours and the American route to Antigua Guatemala overnight.

It also raises the need to change routes and schedules because they may be being watched to be kidnapped or assaulted.

In extortion prevention U.S. citizens are advised that there is an increase of these crimes and should suffer if the police and report it to suspend communication with offenders.

The embassy concluded not wishing happy holidays to its citizens but a season safely. "

Read the recommendations here (in English) made by the embassy for its citizens in Guatemala
My Comment: The message from the U.S. Embassy was in pdf format and could not be copied and pasted here. Link below:

http://photos.state.gov/libraries/guatemala/42224/wardenmessages/WMSecurityGuidance20101217.pdf

[elpolvo]

thanks xisle-

here's the text of the US Embassy warning in PDF format to US citizen wardens:

Embassy of the United States of America
Guatemala City, Guatemala
December 15, 2010

Dear American Citizen Warden:

The following is a Warden Message concerning Personal Security Guidance. Please share the following information with the American citizens on your warden list, and any other Americans you know, as soon as possible. It should be disseminated as widely as possible within the American citizen community. Please contact the American Citizen Services Unit via e-mail (amcitsguatemala@state.gov), fax (2331-3804), or telephone (2326-4501) if you have any questions. Thank you very much for your support and assistance.

In light of the high crime rate in Guatemala and the expected spike in criminal activity during the upcoming holiday season, the U.S. Embassy provides the following personal security guidance.

Street crime is on the rise throughout Guatemala City and affects all zones. Over the past few months, the Embassy’s Security Office has received increasing reports of armed robberies, car-jackings, and burglaries in zones 10, 14 and 15. The trend of armed robberies by assailants on motorcycles continues. Americans should avoid parking on the street and walking in all areas of the city after dark. Do not display valuables in public, especially laptop cases, cellular phones, and jewelry. Avoid using the cell phone while driving since it can attract the attention of potential thieves on motorcycles.

Several vehicle break-ins and vehicle thefts during daylight hours and within view of armed security guards have been reported recently. Never leave purses, bags, packages or other valuables in a vehicle where they can be seen from the outside. The Embassy has also received numerous reports of attempted extortions of American residents. In those instances please report the extortion attempt to the police and do not continue any communication with the extortionists.

All U.S. citizens are reminded of violent criminal activity along the Carretera a El Salvador (Inter-Americana) including homicides, car-jackings and kidnappings. The overwhelming majority of these crimes take place at night. The Embassy’s Security Office strongly discourages travel by U.S. Mission employees along Carretera El Salvador east of kilometer 13 (Colegio Maya) between the hours of 9:00pm and 6:00am.

The main highway connecting Guatemala City to Panajachel, CA-1, is currently being repaired and will not be completed until the end of year. The alternate route, Route #4 from Las Trampas to Godinez and Panajachel, is in poor repair but is the suggested alternate route by Guatemalan authorities. U.S. citizens are reminded that violent highway robberies have occurred in the past along Route #4 on the south side and west shores of Lake Atitlan between San Lucas Toliman and Chacala, on Route #11 on the east shore between San Lucas Toliman and CA-1, and on National Route #14 between Antigua and Escuintla. The Embassy advises U.S. citizens to avoid traveling to Atitlan until the primary road, CA-1 through Sololá, is repaired.

U.S. citizens are strongly discouraged from traveling outside of Guatemala City after dark and that includes to/from Antigua. Keep in mind that abductions, home invasion robberies, burglaries and car-jackings are often preceded by surveillance of the intended victim. Criminals look for vulnerabilities to exploit before they strike, including time/place predictability, therefore you are vulnerable when arriving at and departing from your residence. All U.S. citizens are urged to maintain situational awareness and vary routes and times as much as possible.

If you suspect that you are being followed or watched, immediately contact police authorities near where you are. If you are being followed, do not go home. Proceed directly to the police.

We wish you a safe holiday season!
***************

[defever]

does anyone know if the road from antigua thru solala to pana is completed yet?

[encor]

....at this time, no. they say early january. (they don't say what year)

[avinsa]

I think the road is open, I get a boletin from the government, yesterday it says about the department of solola:
Sololá
CA-1 Ruta Interamericana Km 90 al 170
Tecpan- Santa Catarina Ixtahuacan.
Precaución por diferentes derrumbes y
carriles reversibles habilitados.

[encor]

...thanks, not sure i trust anything from any government
_________________
what other people think of me
ain't none a my bidness
...la cronista

[Celtic Dancer]

It was in the newspaper yesterday that the road has now been reopened.

[elpolvo]

...thanks, not sure i trust anything from any newspaper

[Celtic Dancer]

Yep your probably right, There was a picture of the road reopened but hey it was probably stock photos.

[elpolvo]

or any parrot wearing sunglasses

[sageofsalem]

Is this, then, the secret of contented continuity: living happily with uncertainty?

I would dearly love to go up to the lake again, but with all the dire predictions, I am uncertain and hesitate. Perhaps if I went in mufti, in sack cloth and ashes on a burro, I could succeed and run the gauntlet.

Let me ask, is there a civilized way to get to Pana that does not include driving oneself?

(asked in all sincerity, hopefully expectant of and "touristical" enlightenment)

bill
_________________
Only a poet can discern poetry in the commonplace prose of routine existence.