Colombia: US Embassy Warns of Attack Risk in Norte de Santander

October 1, 2026 — The US Embassy in Bogotá issued a security alert on September 29. It warns of a higher risk of attacks by illegal armed groups in Norte de Santander, the department along the Venezuelan border.

The details

Who is behind the threat: the alert names illegal armed groups, including the ELN. It urges Americans to stay away from the border region.
Areas to avoid:
- the Catatumbo subregion (in Norte de Santander and Cesar)
- areas within a few kilometers of the Venezuelan border
- rural routes out of Cúcuta
Recent attacks cited:
- an August 31 car bomb near the police station in Los Patios
- a drone attack on the El Carmen police station around September 20
Advisory level: unchanged. The State Department’s overall advisory for Colombia stays at Level 3 (Reconsider Travel). Norte de Santander is already in the Level 4 “Do Not Travel” category.

What it means for airline travelers

Don’t travel overland to Cúcuta’s rural surroundings or to border crossings into Venezuela.
The rest of Colombia is under separate guidance. Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena and other popular destinations fall under the overall Level 3 advisory, not this alert. Read the regional details before you go.
Register your trip. Use STEP (US) or Registration of Canadians Abroad to get embassy alerts.
Check your insurance. Many travel insurance policies exclude areas under a “Do Not Travel” advisory.