Can we talk about Venezuela?
My hubby informed me that he might have to go for a business trip but for some reason this isn't sitting well with me. I'm kinda scared. Reading this doesn't make me happy!
Street crime in Venezuelan cities is reasonably common, particularly Caracas. Travelers should use common sense to avert any dangerous situations and respect any local advice regarding areas to avoid. Extra caution is advised on the highway between Caracas and the international airport (Maiquetia) which can be subject to violent armed crime. Travelers should avoid using this route after dark if possible.
Venezuelan politics is unpredictable and demonstrations and public protests are common. Travelers are advised to avoid such gatherings as they can become violent; monitor news services for any potential unrest.
Any travel near the Colombian border in more remote Zulia, Táchira, Apure and Amazonas states should be avoided due to the presence of Colombian guerillas and various other armed types.
Re: Can we talk about Venezuela?
SAFETY AND SECURITY: Violent crime in Venezuela is pervasive, both in the capital, Caracas, and in the interior. The country has one of the highest per-capita murder rates in the world. Armed robberies take place in broad daylight throughout the city, including areas generally presumed safe and frequented by tourists. A common technique is to choke the victim into unconsciousness and then rob them of all they are carrying. Well armed criminal gangs operate with impunity, often setting up fake police checkpoints. Kidnapping is a particularly serious problem, with more than 1,000 reported during the past year alone. There have been several high profile kidnappings that have resulted in murder, including the killings of three minor Canadian brothers, a wealthy Italo-Venezuelan businessman, and the daughter of a senior Venezuelan military commander. Investigation of all crime is haphazard and ineffective. In the case of high-profile killings, the authorities quickly round up suspects, but rarely produce evidence linking these individuals to the crime. Only a very small percentage of criminals are tried and convicted.
Re: Can we talk about Venezuela?
Jeeze, please try to talk him out of it! And if that doens't work hide his passport and let him think he lost it.
Re: Can we talk about Venezuela?
Re: Can we talk about Venezuela?
I emailed the info to him and said why not have the people fly over here to the States? I mean they could pay for the tickets and hotel for them to travel here! Army that link isn't working.
Re: Can we talk about Venezuela?
Try it again. Works for me. It is the CIA Worldbook entry for Venezuela.
Re: Can we talk about Venezuela?
http://wikitravel.org/en/Venezuela#Stay_safe
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/02/wo...es%2FVenezuela
Wow, sounds bad.
Article advices not to travel on the road from the International airport at night. If he doesn't go out too much shouldn't be a huge problem, right?
When traveling to Argentina, seemingly everyone I talked to had a story about crime in Buenos Aires.
One story: Some employees from my dad's company went to Buenos Aires. One of them gets mugged, but the mugger doesn't leave. He justs stays there. The muggee is offended. He gets a few of his colleagues together and demands his wallet back. The mugger had his friends close by and all the employees get beat up. The guy's glasses get broken which was worth more than the wallet. I'm sure there's a moral somewhere in there.
Re: Can we talk about Venezuela?
Yes it sounds really bad. I guess if I had to go I would try to dress like a bum so that no one would mess with me, but that's probably not practical on a business trip. Can't he just do some conference calls or something?
Re: Can we talk about Venezuela?
WE spoke last night and he said "It will probably be the people we are dealing with will pick us up and either stay at one of their homes or be placed in a guarded resort"
I know it's an important company because it's a bank, they have more than 300 branches and for some reason it made me feel at ease because I imagen they are well aware of how scared we would be to travel there with all the bad things happening.
He also mentioned that there is nothing final yet, today they know and he mentioned that "look if we land this account honey it will be well over 100 grand for commission for us" I said "for the company?" and he said "no us you me and the kids baby" mind you we have never seen this amt of money in real life and we have 2 kids to think about and I don't work and he busts his ass, the man works 70 hrs a week, I barely see him as it is! This would help but something just makes me say "it's not worth it"
Perhaps I'm just being way over protective or scared, what would happen if he's gone? 2 kids myself, I have no degree! my body ain't right. I have never stripped! nope not a stripper just admire and love stripper but I have been dancing all my life and if I had to I would do it to support my kids, I would have to oh my getting way ahead of myself but these are the things that are running in my head.
Re: Can we talk about Venezuela?
Relax. Never been there or know anyone there but to me seems like well worth the risk. Just don't travel much at night especially from the airport and other basic precautions and sounds like it should be OK. Don't look like tourists, don't bring a camera, wear no watch, only official taxis, etc... Hey at least it's not Columbia.
Re: Can we talk about Venezuela?
If he can afford it or his company can afford it hire local security to get him from the airport to his "secure location." Armed driver and a bodyguard runs around $350 to $500 an hour. Look up "Private Guards/Security" on the net for Caracas.
Usually ex-mil. and off-duty cops.
Re: Can we talk about Venezuela?
Eric they are cheap, believe me this is where we met. I was the manager and he came in moving boxes and we fell in love :) But they are cheap, they complained of how much TP was being used one month for the love God lol
Re: Can we talk about Venezuela?
Well if he can't afford security then :1. Get a flight arriving during the day. 2. Stay at a hotel with a courtesy shuttle. 3 Go down looking "poor"- leave all the jewelry home; use cheap luggage etc. Don't play tourist-don't leave the hotel except for business meetings. 4. Contact the U.S. consulate and/or go online for the latest advisories.