Warden Message 08-10

March 4, 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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The U.S. Embassy in Quito advises all Americans in Ecuador to keep a low profile and to remain vigilant as a result of recent Colombian military activity and regional diplomatic tensions.  Although the Embassy possesses no information concerning specific and credible threats against Americans in Ecuador, all Americans are strongly encouraged to exercise caution and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness.  The U.S. Embassy advises Americans to postpone travel to the northern border region of Ecuador, and when that is not possible, to exercise extra caution in that area.  Official travel by U.S. Embassy and Consulate employees to this region is limited.   Additionally, there is a long-standing Travel Warning for Colombia, which can be accessed via http://travel.state.gov   

There is always the possibility that there could be demonstrations affecting countries in the region, including Ecuador.  Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn violent.   American citizens are encouraged to avoid any demonstrations and large gatherings of people.

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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.

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, Worldwide Caution, and Country Specific Information can be found.  Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States or Canada, or by a regular toll line at 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

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