WARDEN MESSAGE

The Tipitapa-Masaya Highway and the Transportation Strike - May 13, 2008

Over the last two weeks, the U.S. Embassy has received two reports from U.S. citizens who were robbed and kidnapped while driving along the Tipitapa-Masaya Highway at night.  Both groups of U.S. citizens were traveling from the Managua International Airport to Granada when they were pulled over by men dressed as Nicaraguan police officers.  In both cases, the gun-wielding assailants took their personal belongings and released them in a remote location, far from the highway.  The U.S. Embassy warns U.S. citizens to avoid traveling the Tipitapa-Masaya Highway at night.

As noted in our Warden Message of May 5, 2008, members of the inter-urban transportation sector have called a nationwide transportation strike to protest rising fuel costs.  A growing number of inter-city streets have been blocked by protestors, and some members of the transportation sector have also attempted to block traffic at various locations throughout Nicaragua.  On May 13, one death of a Nicaraguan taxi driver was reported.

We would like to remind U.S. citizens of the recommendation to keep fuel tanks in vehicles at least ¾ full and maintain at least a week’s supply of food and water, if at all possible.  It is also recommended that travelers not drive through barricades encountered on the street and that they keep windows up and doors locked in their vehicles.

The U.S. Embassy in Managua is now located at Km 5 ½ C. Sur Managua, Nicaragua.  The U.S. Embassy in Managua can be reached 24/7 at 505-252-7100.  For emergencies (deaths, arrests, etc.) after hours, U.S. citizens can call this phone number and ask for the Embassy Duty Officer.

General information regarding consular service is available by calling (505) 252-7888.  Non-emergency services for American citizens are available Monday through Friday, 1:00 to 3:00 PM, except on Nicaraguan and U.S. holidays.

Additional contact information for the American Citizens Services unit is as follows:

Fax:             (505) 252-7304

Email:           ACS.Nicaragua@state.gov

Website:       http://managua.usembassy.gov

U.S. citizens are urged to register and update their contact information at the following website: https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui.

Updated information on travel and security in Nicaragua may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States and Canada or, from outside the United States and Canada, 1-202-501-4444. U.S. citizens should consult the Department of State's Consular Information Sheet and Travel Warning for Nicaragua at http://travel.state.gov, the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1161.html, and the travel publication "A Safe Trip Abroad" at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1747.html.