Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:585 Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Path: world!daemon From: Wally Doerge <76702.1202@compuserve.com> Subject: ALL: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Peru Message-ID: <940908123626_76702.1202_CHN24-1@CompuServe.COM> Precedence: bulk Sender: daemon@world.std.com (daemons) Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Distribution: wstd Date: Thu, 8 Sep 1994 12:36:26 GMT Approved: usenet@world.std.com Lines: 174 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Peru ============================================================ Peru - Travel Warning July 20, 1994 The Department of State warns all U.S. citizens of the dangers of travel to Peru. With the exception of certain tourist areas, terrorist violence which has diminished over the past year continues to occur in many parts of the country. Foreign visitors have not been specifically targeted and tourist areas have generally been free of terrorist activity. Additional information can be found in the Department of State's Consular Information Sheet on Peru. No. 94-029 This replaces the Travel Warning for Peru dated March 19, 1993, to reflect a diminishing of terrorist incidents over the past year. Peru - Consular Information Sheet September 2, 1994 Warning: The Department of State warns all U.S. citizens of the dangers of travel to Peru. With the exception of certain tourist areas, terrorist violence which has diminished over the past year continues to occur in many parts of the country. Foreign visitors have not been specifically targeted and tourist areas have generally been free of terrorist activity. Country Description: Peru has a developing economy. Tourist facilities outside of major cities and tourist areas may not be adequate. Entry Requirements: A passport is required. U.S. citizens do not need a visa for a one-month stay. 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, telephone: (202) 833-9860, or the nearest consulate 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 and other infectious diseases, such as hepatitis, are present in Peru. Visitors who follow proper precautions about food and drink are not generally at risk. Malaria and other infectious diseases can be an added risk in some jungle areas. In addition, travel to high altitude areas can carry the risk of high altitude sickness, especially with rapid ascent. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States and the Medicare/Medicaid program does not provide payment of medical services outside the United States. In some cases, supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas and medical evacuation coverage has proven useful. For additional health information, the traveler can contact the Centers for Disease Control's international travelers' hotline at (404) 332-4559. Terrorist Activities: With the exception of certain tourist areas (Arequipa, Cuzco, Ica, Iquitos, Paracas, Puerto Maldonado, Puno, and Trujillo), many parts of the country are designated as "emergency zones" (i.e. areas where the government has suspended certain constitutional rights). These zones are extremely dangerous because of terrorist and criminal activities. Despite the arrest of their key leadership in 1992, 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 range of targets in Peru, principally Peruvian nationals, government installations, and banks, but also against U.S. as well as other foreign interests. Terrorist violence has diminished in intensity over the past year but continues to affect a large part of the country. The cities of Lima and Callao remain under a state of emergency. With the exception of certain tourist areas which have been free of terrorist activity, terrorist bombings and shootings occur throughout Peru. Foreign visitors have not been specifically targeted by terrorist groups, however, the U.S. Embassy and other foreign embassies, commercial premises, and several hotels in Miraflores used by visiting business travelers and tourists have been damaged by package and car bombs. Emergency Zones: The following areas have been designated as "emergency zones" by the Peruvian government: Apurimac Department, Ayacucho Department (except for the city of Ayacucho proper), Huanacavelica Department, Huanuco Department, Junin Department, Lima Department, 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, the Huaraz, Carhuaz, Yungnay, Recuay provinces of Melgar, Azangaro and Sandia within the Puno Department, the Huancabamba province within the Piura Department, and the Ucayali and Alto Amazonas provinces within the Loreto Department. These zones are extremely dangerous regions where both terrorism and violent crime are common. U.S. citizens who travel to or through designated "emergency zones" outside Lima, especially overland, are subjecting themselves to extraordinary risk. Crime Information: Street crime such as pickpocketing and armed robbery, in or near hotels and residences, is very common. Robberies are a serious problem in Lima and in the tourist cities of Cusco and Iquitos. The majority of crimes are non-violent in nature and involve petty thefts by pickpockets and purse-snatchers. The threat of street crime is greatest in areas which attract large crowds. Over the last year criminals have become more brazen and have resorted to serious types of crime, such as smash and grab robberies, where thieves break car windows and steal any item within reach. Counterfeit U.S.bills in $20, $50, and $100 denominations are common, and travelers should be extremely cautious when changing money with street side money changers. Paying close attention to one's personal belongings is an essential countermeasure to deter criminal activity. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the U.S. Embassy. Useful information on guarding valuables and protecting personal security while traveling abroad is provided in the Department of State pamphlet, "A Safe Trip Abroad", which is available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Also available from the same address is the Department of State publication, "Tips for Travelers to Central and South America." Drug Penalties: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in which they are traveling. Penalties in Peru for possession, use and trafficking in illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences and fines. Adoptions: All U.S. citizens wishing to adopt in Peru must use one of the agencies approved by the Peruvian government. For an up-to-date list of these agencies, prospective adopting parents are urged to contact the Department of State or the U.S. Embassy in Lima. For the foreseeable future, all adoptions will take place in Lima. The Peruvian government body charged with implementation of the new adoption laws, the Technical Secretariat for Adoptions, estimates that adoptive parents will need to remain in Peru for a minimum of 30 days and a maximum of 60 days. However, no adoptions have been completed under the new law and as a result it is uncertain how long prospective adoptive parents will have to remain in Peru to complete their adoptions. Adoptive parents should also know that foreigners carrying cash are identifiable targets for thieves. The Peruvian Embassy in Washington, D.C. encourages prospective adopting parents to consult its staff for information on the adoption process. Additional information on Peruvian adoption proceedings and U.S. immigrant visa requirements is available from the consular section of the U.S. Embassy or by writing the Office of Citizens Consular Services, CA/OCS/CCS, Room 4817, Department of State, Washington, D.C. 20520, or by telephoning (202) 647-3712. Civil Aviation Oversight: In February 1992, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration assessed Peru's civil aviation authority as in compliance with international aviation safety oversight standards for Peruvian carriers operating to and from the U.S. The same level of safety oversight would typically be applied to operations to other destinations. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation at 1-800-322-7873. Embassy Location/Registration: U.S. citizens, who travel to Peru despite the Department's travel warning, are requested to register with the consular section of the U.S. Embassy in Lima at Grimaldo del Solar 346, Miraflores, telephone: (011-51-14) 44-3621 or 44-3921 to obtain the latest travel and security information. The U.S. Embassy is located at the corner of Avenidas Inca Garcilaso de la Vega and Espana, telephone: (011-51-14) 33-8000. There is also a consular agency in Cuzco at Avenida Tullumayo 125, telephone: (011-51-84) 23-3541. No. 94-189 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet for Peru dated July 22, 1994 to add information on aviation oversight.