The U.S. Embassy in Bogotá has warned Evangelical (Protestant) missionaries and churches in rural Colombia that they may be the targets of guerrilla attacks. The warning, which was not posted on the embassy’s Web site but has been confirmed by several missionaries in Colombia, followed the recent breakdown of peace talks between the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).
In a statement circulated to resident missionaries throughout Colombia, the embassy said, “The U.S. Government is aware of information that the guerrillas may be targeting members of North American religious missions outside the major cities at this time. We urge all heads of missionary organizations in Colombia to contact their personnel in the field and alert them to this threat.”
Embassy personnel told missionary security offices in Bogotá that the major cities referred to in the statement were Bogotá, Medellin, Cali and the north coast cities of Cartagena and Barranquilla. The concern is for those living and working outside of those cities.
Southern Baptist missionaries “have been advised of the report,” said John Magyar who has served with the International Mission Board in Colombia for 31 years. “We have no plans but to be extra careful,” he said. “My read is that if you stay in the larger cities and are with someone who knows the limits, you will be as safe as driving I-95 at rush hour,” he reported, referring to south Florida’s notoriously unsafe interstate highway.
“I have seen it a lot worse than this,” Magyar said. “If you just use common sense, stay in major cities, you will be as safe as in any third world country today.”
Other missionaries said they consider this alert to be stronger than normal warnings.
“The embassy security department wants Americans who may be working in rural areas to dramatically increase their state of awareness, and to rethink whether or not their presence in those areas is absolutely necessary,” reported Jim McCauley of Wycliffe Bible Translators. “There was a lot of panic among the missionaries after the alert was issued,” McCauley said. However, after lengthy conversations with embassy security officials, he reported that not all missionaries in Colombia are in increased danger. The major concern is for those who are living or working in areas where there is subversive (guerrilla) activity.
The alert to missionaries followed a public announcement issued by the U.S. State Department Feb. 23 warning American citizens to avoid all travel to Colombia. The department also warned that, “Americans already residing or traveling in Colombia are advised to exercise caution and vigilance.”
(LAM)
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