Taxi Kidnappings and Residential Armed Robberies

WARDEN MESSAGE
Taxi Kidnappings and Residential Armed Robberies – May 20, 2009
As reported in our Country Specific Information brochure on Nicaragua violent crime in Nicaragua is increasing.  Taxi kidnappings and residential armed robberies are on the rise.

U.S. citizens should exercise particular caution when approached by strangers offering assistance with finding a taxi cab.  Several U.S. citizens have reported being victimized by fellow travelers who offered to assist them in locating and/or sharing a taxi in and around San Juan del Sur, San Jorge, Granada, Managua, and Masaya.  Upon entering the taxi, the U.S. citizens were held at knife-point, threatened with bodily injury and/or rape, robbed of their valuables and driven around to ATM machines to withdraw funds from their accounts. After the assault, the U.S. citizen victims were left abandoned and destitute in remote areas.

The U.S. Embassy has received numerous other credible reports of passengers in taxis being subjected to beatings, sexual assaults, stabbings, and even murder.  Several U.S. citizens reported brutal attacks in taxis, particularly around the International Airport area.

The U.S. Embassy recommends that U.S. citizens visiting or living in Nicaragua should only use officially registered taxicabs.  Radio-dispatched taxis are also reliable and can generally be found at the International Airport and at the larger hotels. 

In the past few months, the U.S. Embassy has also noted a gradual increase in the use of armed violence and hostage situations following residential break-ins.  Recently, one U.S. citizen was brutally assaulted in her home on South Highway.  Another U.S. citizen on the South Highway was held hostage overnight by the former guard her security company employed.  U.S. citizens are urged to review residential security procedures, including with their domestic employees, and strengthen security measures to help safeguard their houses. 

Please note that the U.S. Embassy will be closed on Monday, May 25 for Memorial Day.

Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the U.S. Embassy’s website (http://nicaragua.usembassy.gov) and the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs’ website www.travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information can be found.  The U.S. Embassy also encourages U.S. citizens to review to "A Safe Trip Abroad," found at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1747.html, which includes valuable security information for those both living and traveling abroad.  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.

The U.S. Embassy in Managua is located at Km 5 ½ C. Sur Managua, Nicaragua.  The U.S. Embassy in Managua can be reached 24/7 at 011-505-2-252-7100.  For emergencies (deaths, arrests, etc.) after hours, U.S. citizens can call this phone number and ask for the Embassy Duty Officer.  The ACS unit is also available by email at ACS.Managua@state.gov.

General information regarding consular services is available by calling 011-505-2-252-7888.  Non-emergency services for U.S. citizens are available Monday through Friday, 1:00 to 3:00 PM, except on Nicaraguan and U.S. holidays.