Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories From: 76702.1202@CompuServe.COM (Charlie Smith) Subject: *NEW* TRAVEL INFORMATION -- Peru Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Distribution: wstd Date: Mon, 2 Nov 1992 17:03:49 GMT STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Peru ============================================================ PERU - TRAVEL WARNING October 27, 1992 Warning: U.S. citizens are warned against all travel to Peru until further notice because of increased terrorist violence. The Department of State has authorized the voluntary departure of all U.S. government dependents and non-essential official personnel from the country. Additional information can be found in the Department of State's Consular Information Sheet on Peru. No. 92-004 PERU - CONSULAR INFORMATION SHEET October 27, 1992 Warning: U.S. citizens are warned against all travel to Peru until further notice because of increased terrorist violence. The Department of State has authorized the voluntary departure of all U.S. government dependents and non-essential official personnel from the country. Embassy Location: The U.S. Embassy is located at the corner of Avenidas Inca Garcilaso de la Vega and Espana. The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Peru is located in Lima at Grimaldo del Solar 346, Miraflores, tel: (51-14) 44-3621. There is also a Consular Agency in Cuzco at Avenida Tullumayo 125 at tel: (51-84) Country Description: Peru has a developing economy. Tourist facilities outside major cities and tourist areas may not be adequate. Entry Requirements: A passport is required in order to enter Peru. U.S. citizens do not need a visa for a stay of up to 30 days. For current information concerning entry and customs requirements for Peru, travelers can contact the Peruvian Embassy at 1700 Massachusetts Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036, tel: (202) 833-9860, or the nearest consulate general in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Chicago, Newark, New York, Houston, or San Juan. Medical Facilities: Medical care does not meet U.S. standards. Cholera is present in Peru. However, visitors who follow proper precautions about food and drink are not generally at risk. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. In some instances, supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage has proved useful. For further information, the traveler can contact the Centers for Disease Control's international travelers' hotline at (404) 332-4559. Crime Information: Street crime such as pickpocketing and mugging is very common. Robbery in or near hotels and residences, often with weapons, occurs. Useful information on guarding valuables and protecting personal security while traveling abroad is provided in the Department of State pamphlet, "A Safe Trip Abroad". It is available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Terrorist Activities: A July upsurge in terrorist violence in Peru significantly increased danger to travelers. This was the third major upsurge of urban violence in 1992; outbreaks of violence are expected to recur in the coming months. Many parts of the country are designated as "emergency zones" (i.e. areas governed by martial law). These zones are extremely dangerous due to terrorist and criminal activities. Two insurgent organizations, Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path) and the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA) continue to carry out bombings and other terrorist attacks against a large number of targets in Peru, principally Peruvian government installations and banks, but also U.S. government buildings, U.S. commercial interests and embassies of other countries. The city of Lima is located in the Lima Department, a designated "emergency zone." Bombings, terrorist incidents and violent crime are common in the city of Lima and there is a curfew from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. A recent bombing campaign in Lima, which killed 20 Peruvians and injured more than 150 bystanders, included areas where U.S. citizens are regularly present. The U.S. Embassy has a standing security alert notice to the official and non-official community to avoid high concentration commercial areas at night. Many of the most frequently used tourist hotels are located in such areas. U.S. citizens who despite this warning travel to Peru must be extremely alert to any suspicious activity and cautious in their movements. U.S. citizens who travel to designated "emergency zones" outside Lima are subjecting themselves to extraordinary risk. These zones are extremely dangerous regions where both terrorism and violent crime are common. Overland travel to or through the "emergency zones" outside the capital city of Lima is particularly dangerous. Emergency Zones: The following areas have been designated as "emergency zones" by the Peruvian government: Apurimac Department, Ayacucho Department, Huanacavelica Department, Huanuco Department, Junin Department, Lima Department (except the city of Lima), Pasco Department, San Martin Department, Ucayali Department (except for air travel to the city of Pucallpa), the La Convencion and Calco provinces within the Cuzco Department, and the Ucayali and Alto Amazonas provinces within the Loreto Department. Drug Penalties: Penalties for possession, use and trafficking in illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences and fines. Adoptions: Peruvian adoptions take an average of 90 days to complete and there are cases which have taken much longer. Corruption surrounding the adoption process is widespread and judicial strikes and delays are common. Recent judicial changes coupled with a growing concern on the part of the Peruvian government regarding allegations of abuses has caused increasing uncertainty for adopting parents. Adopting parents should also know that foreigners carrying cash are identifiable targets for thieves. Due to the dangerous conditions existing in the "emergency zones", no prospective adopting parent should travel to an "emergency zone" in search of a child for adoption or to obtain documentation. Registration: U.S. citizens in Peru are strongly advised to register immediately with and seek the latest information from the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy located at Grimaldo del Solar 346, Miraflores District of Lima, tel: 44-3121 and 44-3621. No. 92-084