warden message 08-08

February 25, 2008

The following is a Warden Message issued by the Consulate General of the United States of America in Guayaquil.  The following message contains all of the information available.  Please share it with the American citizens on your warden list, and any other Americans you know, as soon as possible.  It should be disseminated as widely as possible within the American citizen community.  Please contact the American Citizen Services section via e-mail (acsguayaquil@state.gov), fax 232-0904, or telephone 232-3570 if you have any questions.  Thank you very much for your support and assistance.

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CONGRESO CONTINENTAL BOLIVARIANO

The U.S. Embassy Ecuador wishes to inform American citizens visiting or resident in Ecuador of the II Congreso Continental Bolivariano (aka CCB) that is being held at the Casa de la Cultura in Quito from February 24 through February 27. The Casa de la Cultura is located across the street from the U.S. Embassy on Avenida Patria. Some of the topics to be covered by the Congress will include U.S. imperialism and the removal of U.S. soldiers from Latin America.

Large crowds and disrupted traffic are expected in the area over the conference period. It is possible that demonstrations will occur in the vicinity of the Congress, possibly directed against the U.S. Embassy. As is the case with large demonstrations in Quito, there is a risk that some participants could resort to violent measures or that police could use tear gas to dispel crowds.

The U.S. Embassy recommends American citizens avoid the area of the conference and possible demonstrations, including delaying non-urgent business at the U.S. Embassy, through the duration of the conference.

In addition, American citizens are reminded of the continuing threat of terrorist attacks, demonstrations, and other violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests overseas. Current information suggests that terrorist organizations continue to plan attacks against U.S. interests throughout the world, including Latin America. These attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics including suicide operations, assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings, and bombings.

Extremists may elect to use conventional or non-conventional weapons, and target both official and private interests.  Examples of such targets include high-profile sporting events, residential areas, business offices, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, public areas and locales where Americans gather in large numbers, including during holidays.

American citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness, including:

U.S. citizens living or traveling abroad are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department's travel registration web site at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/ so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security.    Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.  By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.

U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance, be aware of local events, and take the appropriate steps to bolster their personal security.  For additional information, please refer to "A Safe Trip Abroad" found at http://travel.state.gov.

U.S. Government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened state of alert.  These facilities may temporarily close or periodically suspend public services to assess their security posture.  In those instances, U.S. embassies and consulates will make every effort to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens.  Americans abroad are urged to monitor the local news and maintain contact with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
As the Department continues to develop information on any potential security threats to U.S. citizens overseas, it shares credible threat information through its Consular Information Program documents, available on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov. In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada or, outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.
For further information, please see the Department of State’s Worldwide Caution Public Announcement from January 17, 2008.
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Americans living or traveling in Ecuador are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Ecuador. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency. Please see the following links for local warden message information in Quito and Guayaquil, respectively, http://ecuador.usembassy.gov and http://guayaquil.usconsulate.gov.

The U.S. Embassy in Quito is located at the corner of Avenida 12 de Octubre and Avenida Patria (across from the Casa de la Cultura). The telephone during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) is (011) 593 2 256 2890 X4561. For after-hours emergencies use (011) 593 2 256 1749. The fax is (011) 593 2 256 1-524. Within the same city use the last seven digits. Add the city code for intercity telephone calls. See also the Embassy web site at http://ecuador.usembassy.gov.

The U.S. Consulate General in Guayaquil is located at the corner of Avenida 9 de Octubre and Garcia Moreno (near the Hotel Oro Verde); telephone (011-593-4) 232-3570 during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) or 232-1152 for after-hours emergencies; fax (011-593-4) 232-0904. See the Consulate General web site at http://guayaquil.usconsulate.gov.

 

This e-mail is UNCLASSIFIED based on the definitions provided in E.O. 12958