Servicio a Ciudadanos
Warden Message 07-06
May 31, 2007The 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 with the American citizen community. Please contact the American Citizen Services section via e-mail (acsguayaquil@state.gov), fax 232-0904, or telephone 232-3570 it you have any questions. Thank you very much for your support and assistance.
THIS MESSAGE IS A REPEAT OF A WARDEN MESSAGE RECENTLY ISSUED BY THE U.S. EMBASSY IN QUITO.
ECUADORIAN CRIME REPORT.-
This is to notify Americans living or traveling in Ecuador that the incidence of violent crime appears to be rising. Police statistics show that an increasing number of criminals use some sort of weapon in the commission of their criminal act. Recently, an Embassy official was robbed at gun point by three assailants while in his car. The incident occurred during the daytime in Quito Tenis, a residential area of Quito where many Americans and other foreign nationals reside. Americans have also been assaulted in their cars near Otavalo and other small towns. The Ecuadorian Government has increased police patrols in various tourist areas, but travelers should remain alert to their surroundings, maintain control of personal belongings, and practice prudent security precautions. Should you find yourself in such a situation, remain calm, obey the robber’s instructions and offer no resistance. Do not make any furtive or quick movements that could be misinterpreted by the thief. Surrender all property as requested.
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, at http://www.usembassy.org.ec/English/IndexEN.htm and http://guayaquil.usconsulate.gov/warden_messages.html
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://www.usembassy.org.ec/.
The U.S. Consulate General in Guayaquil is located at the corner of 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/.
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 and Public Announcements, including the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, can be found. Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, 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).
This e-mail is UNCLASSIFIED based on the definitions provided in E.O. 12958