Valle del Cauca Safety

Other

By Richard McColl

In general terms, travel out and around the Valle del Cauca is pretty safe. You should be aware of the red zone in the south-eastern corner of the region which is hotly disputed between the Government and the FARC rebels. This area near to the towns of Florida and Pradera is where the FARC have been suggesting that the government create a demilitarized zone in which to negotiate an exchange of prisoners. In Cali the normal advice applies as for any major city. The only place where caution should be applied at all times, night and day, is the port of Buenaventura, which is wrenched in a continual power struggle between government forces, paramilitaries and leftist guerrillas, all intent on securing this strategic city. The drug trade here is visible and violence is prevalent.