Colombia violates Ecuadorian sovreignty again-Ecuador-Colombia tension growing

[G-Capo]

Ecuador says it is investigating what it describes as a violation of its airspace by the Colombian military.
Defence Minister Oswaldo Jarrin said a Colombian aircraft had been picked up by Ecuadorean radar at the weekend.

Colombia denied over flying Ecuadorean territory, but said the aircraft had been deployed after an attack by rebels, who then escaped into Ecuador.

It is the latest of a series of incidents along the border that have provoked diplomatic tension.

Colombia has been fighting an offensive by the country's largest guerrilla group, the Farc, in the region.

Last month, the government of Bogota issued an apology after one of its aircraft "accidentally" entered Ecuador's airspace in an operation against Farc rebels.

Ecuador responded by stepping up radar surveillance along the 580km (360m) border the two countries share.

Colombian and Ecuadorean officials will discuss the issue at a meeting of military officials on Tuesday.

Ecuador has remained neutral in Colombia's struggle against a 41-year-old Marxist insurgency, despite requests for assistance.



http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4804700.stm

[Hellfish]

Just in time for my trip in May. Maybe, if I'm lucky, I can get caught up in a war AND kidnapped! p-)

[Bob the Drunk]

what are you going to Colombia for?

I was in Bogota for 6 months. The biggest party of my life when we were in the city. I have some great pics. There was this really great club in Chia and for the life of me I can't remember the name. Make sure if you are in Bogota to make it to both the Bogota beer company and Mr. Bebidas.

[G-Capo]

Feel free to post the pics in a thread :)

[Bob the Drunk]

They are at home. Let me black out the faces and I will post some of them this weekend.

[G-Capo]

They are at home. Let me black out the faces and I will post some of them this weekend.

Awesome!,The beer company you are reffering to is it Bavaria?

[Laworkerbee]

Is the border well defined?

[Hellfish]

I'm going to Ecuador. Maybe I can get lucky in the fighting and traffic weapons or something. :roll:

[Bob the Drunk]

No its called the Bogota Beer Company in the Zona Rosa. They have a bunch of them in Bogota.

Mr. Bebillas was one of my favorite spots when i was down there. One of the AF guys that was down there with me referred to it as ground zero for a Mk.69 pu*sy bomb. There was just pu*sy everywhere. (Note: that was a call I got about 0130 on my second night in country. I was at the bar in about 15 minutes)

[Bob the Drunk]

The border in some spots is just a stream or river. In other spots there are checkpoints and then in other spots it is just a field or you are in the middle of the jungle. And then again you may be in the mountains. The answer I guess is it all depends.

[Bob the Drunk]

I have never been to Ecuador. Wanted to go, but if you have ever seen the girls in Colombia, you wouldn't leave either. The girls in Bogota are hot. The girls in Medellin and Cali are even hotter.

If you get the chance, take a trip up to Cartegena. That is a great place.

[Valmet78]

Hi Hellfish6,

I plan on hitting the same area soon as well. I was in Brazil and Argentina recently, but I hope to go to Ecuador, and many other S.A. Countries soon. If you don't mind, after your trip, could I get a Intel briefing?

As for kidnapping, it can happen, but they tend to focus on Business and Gov't officials, given that most have KR&E insurance, and a set routine. Having said that, if you are really concerned, check in with your local Embassy, and get a security briefing, and let them know your plans. Most security information you receive at home is usually out of dated.

Stay safe brother, and keep in touch.

Valmet out.

[Hellfish]

I'm not really concerned, it's just a running joke I have with the people that ask me "Why the hell would you go to Ecuador?". I'm probably gonna post pics and stuff once I get back. I don't know if I'll bring my digital camera (batteries get sucked dry in no time at all - I don't wanna lug around dozens of new & used batteries for three weeks) so the pics might have to wait till I get them developed. But feel free to ask any questions. :)

Have you joined SAE yet?

[G-Capo]

Just made a thread,Check it out guys and post any pictures in there :)

[Bob the Drunk]

Hellfish, if you are really concerned about safety, you can always get a car and driver for your trip. Depending on how much you want to spend you can get a whole detail and an armored suburban.

Not sure you need it, just remember to never flag down a taxi. Always have your doorman or the bar call a cab for you and verify it is the right one. Never drive with the windows down or the doors unlocked, and at night try not to travel alone. Most of the crime you are going to run into is going to be street crime. Unless you are a bigwig, or go around to bars and restaurants and throw wads of cash at people, you are probably pretty safe. I live in Chicago now and there are parts here that are just as dangerous as any city in SA.

As for the embassy, anytime you are overseas you should check in with the embassy. They will give an ok security briefing and but most importantly add you to the call list if things go to **** (a car bomb goes off, etc.) If you can get a cell phone, get it and a prepaid sim card. Best money you can spend. It also gives you a way to get in touch with the hotties :)

[Valmet78]

Bob the Drunk, your information is useless without pictures!!!!!!

As for the Colombian women being hot - I think it is a set-up. Colombia lures gringos in with their incredibly hot women (Shakira, for example), and then you end-up in a coca plantation with an ear cut-off, chained to a tree. Ah, but maybe their women are worth the trouble. Just kidding. If possible, I would like to hear about your trip - especially pics.

[Hellfish]

Hellfish, if you are really concerned about safety, you can always get a car and driver for your trip. Depending on how much you want to spend you can get a whole detail and an armored suburban.

Not sure you need it, just remember to never flag down a taxi. Always have your doorman or the bar call a cab for you and verify it is the right one. Never drive with the windows down or the doors unlocked, and at night try not to travel alone. Most of the crime you are going to run into is going to be street crime. Unless you are a bigwig, or go around to bars and restaurants and throw wads of cash at people, you are probably pretty safe. I live in Chicago now and there are parts here that are just as dangerous as any city in SA.

As for the embassy, anytime you are overseas you should check in with the embassy. They will give an ok security briefing and but most importantly add you to the call list if things go to **** (a car bomb goes off, etc.) If you can get a cell phone, get it and a prepaid sim card. Best money you can spend. It also gives you a way to get in touch with the hotties :)

I'm really not concerned! And I won't be in any one place long enough for hotties. I'm honestly not worried about anything except the altitude sickness.

[Bob the Drunk]

as i said earlier, i will try and post them this weekend. keep in mind hot is a relative thing. If you are into Nordic women, you won't find the colombian women as hot. If you like asians, then you may be out of luck as well. If you like Latin women, then this is one of the places to go.

of course if you are like me and like all women (especially in groups) then you will find fun anywhere you go.

I spent 6 months and never ended up in a coca plantation and I still have both my ears.

i will post pics when i can.

[Bob the Drunk]

just drink the Alt. sickness away. Nothing a good scotch can't fix :)

[Hellfish]

You are my God.

[G-Capo]

We drink whiskey like water :)

[Laworkerbee]

Better post some pics Hellfish!

[Hellfish]

I will, but not for you. My glorious camera skills will bless the entire world. Except for you.

[Laworkerbee]

Ah come on Buddy I love sharks too!

[6WMD9]

. I live in Chicago now and there are parts here that are just as dangerous as any city in SA.


yea i been in chicago, south side or west of north ave, right?

[Bob the Drunk]

there are nice parts of the south side and the north side and the west side. There are also some really terrible parts too. There are parts of this city I wouldn't go without a couple of guys and a crew served weapon :)

[luxard]

It depends what cities and regions you are going to visit, most of the country is relatively safe and just use common sense. There are four major regions the Galapagos Islands, Coast, Andes (lots of volcanos) and "Oriente" (Tropical Rain Forest). Here are a few pictures, you are going to have a great time and yes prepare yourself to drink a lot and you could also find some women as beautiful as our Colombian neighbors.

[Hellfish]

I'm going pretty much everywhere but the Galapagos and Guayaquil - Quito, Banos, Tena, San Pablo, Riobamba, Huigra, Machalilla, and Otavalo. I leave on the 24th of May and come back the 12th of June, IIRC. I might be able to spend a little more time in Quito, though, as I'd like to visit a cloud forest before I leave.

I'd love to go to the Galapagos, but I don't have the vacation time saved up or the extra $1000 I'd need to get on a boat out there for a week. I hear Machalilla National Park is a good substitute, though.

[luxard]

What you have planned is perfect for your visit to Ecuador. Machalilla is awesome and you can do rafting where the Cloud Forest is, it is called Mindo and is very close to Quito. I was there last summer, a great place to stay is Mindo Gardens.