Bogota hostels admit guests were attacked, demand more police presence

[Judi Lynn]

Bogota hostels admit guests were attacked, demand more police presence
Thursday, 21 April 2011 13:28
Jim Glade

The Candelaria hostel association on Thursday admitted to robberies in the Bogota district as well as the alleged April 13 sexual assault of an American tourist, an event that Metropolitan Police initially denied took place.

A press release from the Association of Housing of the Historic Center of the Candelaria states that on April 13, "four to five armed men entered a hostel intimidating and holding hostage guests and employees while stealing their belongings including passports, credit cards, laptops, cameras, money, etc. compounded by the fact that this time an American tourist was the victim of sexual assault under the threat of a firearm," corroborating the victim's testimony that was reported by Colombia Reports on Tuesday.

A public relations official for the Bogota Metropolitan Police, Carlos Arenas, initially denied that the sexual abuse had taken place. After being presented the victim's testimony that has been corroborated by witnesses, the policeman said that no charges of sexual assault have been filed by the victim.

According to the victim and her friend, who was present and corroborated the victim's story, after the incident police drove them to Bogota's international airport without filing an official report on the robbery and the alleged sexual assault.

More:
http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/15781-bogota-hostels-admit-guests-were-attacked-demand-more-police-presence.html

[Judi Lynn]

1. American guests should be aware they might be shot, dressed in FARC uniforms,

and turned in to the gummint for cash as dead rebels!

Why not go somewhere else on vacation?

[Bacchus39]

2. like Caracas??? lots of tourism is Colombia these days

Candelaria is the old town area that isn't particulary pleasant at night time. people need to take precautions. However, I doubt this effects your vacation plans.

[naaman fletcher]

3. Cartagena is booming.

I am supposed to be going next month, although I might not make it due to work.

[Bacchus39]

4. cool city, not easy to get any peace on the beach or in plaza Santo Domingo though

every couple of minutes you'll be shooing away a vendor at Plaza Santo Domingo if you are having a coffee or a brew. on the beach too. the coconut oil massage girls will actually start rubbing oil on you even if you are sleeping. take a boat to Islas Rosario for a nice beach. the city of Cartagena itself though is magnificant for touring.

[naaman fletcher]

5. cool

thanks for the tip!

[flamingdem]

6. I heard that Bogota has a lively arts scene and ..

.. I put it on my list of places to visit, hmm.