Below please find a Warden Message from the U.S. Embassy in La Paz, Bolivia.  Please share this warden message with any U.S. citizens in Bolivia with whom you have contact.  We hope this information is useful to you.  If we may provide further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,
American Citizen Services Unit
U.S. Embassy La Paz, Bolivia

WARDEN MESSAGE
U.S. EMBASSY LA PAZ, BOLIVIA
August 18, 2008

This warden message is being issued to inform U.S. citizens traveling to and residing in Bolivia that a 24-hour general strike has been called by the Departments of Pando, Beni, Santa Cruz, Tarija, and Chuquisaca to protest gas revenue sharing with the central government.  The strike is scheduled for Tuesday, 19 August 2008.  During such general strikes, all businesses, public transportation, and private vehicles will be shut down and not permitted to operate.  However, the Viru Viru International Airport in Santa Cruz will remain open with special transportation (authorized by the department of Santa Cruz) available for traveling passengers.  Enforcement to violations of the general strike by non-governmental “civic groups” may be harsh and severe.  There are reports that Bolivian National Police (BNP) and special military police garrisons are to be on call to provide critical infrastructure protection.  We ask American citizens to read the country-specific information on Bolivia, available at http://www.travel.state.gov, specifically the information under “Safety and Security.”

There is a higher potential for confrontation between opposing political forces as tensions may escalate from high to critical.  There are also reports that roads between Cochabamba and Santa Cruz may be blocked by counter-demonstrators.  As a result, all U.S. mission facilities in Santa Cruz, Department of Santa Cruz, and Trinidad, Department of Beni, will not be open during the general strike, and U.S. mission employees are to remain indoors.  This means that the consular agency in Santa Cruz will be closed.  Please note that the general strike does not affect the Departments of La Paz and Cochabamba, so U.S. mission activities in La Paz and Cochabamba will remain open for business as usual.

As a reminder, if anyone leaves their residences and encounter demonstrations or large gatherings, you are instructed to leave the area immediately.  In addition to this potential civil unrest, it is not uncommon for streets to be blocked by protesters.  As a result, where traffic is impassable, your presence as a US citizen may incite crowds to use you as a convenient target of opportunity.  While the local police will be present, they may not be able to respond to your individual situation.  In addition, the US embassy or US consular agency in Santa Cruz will not be able to respond to your situation should you encounter any problems.

American citizens may wish to access tips on emergency preparedness through the Department of Homeland Security’s web site at http://www.dhs.gov/xcitizens/editorial_0711.shtm.

Americans residing or traveling in Bolivia are encouraged to register and update their contact information at the U.S. Embassy in La Paz and/or the U.S. consular agencies in Cochabamba and Santa Cruz, Bolivia.  Registration may be done online and can be done in advance of travel.  Information on registering may be found at the Department of State's Consular Affairs web site: https://travelregistration.state.gov.

U.S. citizens should consult the Country Specific Information for Bolivia and the latest Travel Alerts and Warnings and Worldwide Caution at the Department's web site at http://travel.state.gov.  Updated information on travel and security in Bolivia may also be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States or by calling 1-202-501-4444 outside the United States.  During regular work hours, the American Citizens Services unit at the Embassy in La Paz may be reached at 591-2-216-8297.  The consular agencies may be reached in Santa Cruz at 591-3-351-3477 (except Tuesday, August 19) and in Cochabamba at 591-4-411-6313.

We hope this information is useful to you.  If we may provide further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,
American Citizen Services Unit
U.S. Embassy La Paz, Bolivia