Dear Warden:

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 27, 2007

This Warden Message is being issued to alert American citizens traveling to and residing in Bolivia to the possibility of increased political and social tensions and potential violence.

*  General Strike in Six of Bolivia’s Departments:  The Bolivian press is reporting that civic organizations in six of Bolivia’s nine Departments (Chuquisaca, Santa Cruz, Cochabamba, Tarija, Beni, and Pando) have announced a general strike on Tuesday, August 28, 2007.  Press reports suggest that there may be very limited mobility within these regions on that day, and that roads may be blockaded in support of the strike.  Social groups opposed to these strikes have announced plans to prevent road blockades from taking place in their respective Departments. 

*  Ongoing Protests in Sucre:  The Bolivian press is also reporting that protests and hunger strikes continue to take place in Sucre in favor of a proposal to transfer the executive and legislative branches of the government from La Paz to Sucre. 

*  Temporary Closure of USG Offices in Santa Cruz, Cochabamba and Trinidad:  As a precaution, the U.S. Embassy in La Paz has decided to close its Consular Agencies and other offices located in Santa Cruz, Cochabamba and Trinidad on Tuesday, August 28, 2007.

*  We recommend that American Citizens exercise caution and stay away from these demonstrations, as press reports indicate there is the potential for confrontations between opposing groups.  Since the timing and routes of marches, protests, and demonstrations are always subject to change, American citizens should monitor local media sources for new developments.  We wish to remind American citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence at any time.  American citizens are encouraged to avoid areas where mass assemblies and demonstrations are expected to occur.

*  American citizens should also be aware of frequent demonstrations and blockades in Bolivia, and are encouraged to contact the Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy in La Paz with any questions (our contact information is located below).  Roadblocks may affect the routes to and from airports and in and out of cities with little or no prior notice.  Under no circumstances should anyone attempt to run a roadblock.

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet website at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings, and Public Announcements can be found.  Additional information is available in the Consular Information Sheet for Bolivia at http://travel.state.gov and on our Embassy website at http://bolivia.usembassy.gov.

Current information on travel and security in Bolivia may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States, or, from overseas, 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).  American citizens traveling or residing overseas are encouraged to register with the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate on the State Department's travel registration website at https://travelregistration.state.gov.

U.S. citizens may contact the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in La Paz, Bolivia, via e-mail at consularlapaz@state.gov or by telephone at (591-2) 216-8297 during working hours or (591-2) 216-8500 after hours and on weekends.  The Consular Section is located in the U.S. Embassy at 2780 Arce Avenue in La Paz, Bolivia.  The Santa Cruz Consular Agency can be reached by telephone at (591-3) 351-3477 and the Cochabamba Consular Agency can be reached by telephone at (591-4) 411-6313.