Crime in Colombia 2019

Hmm..  and I thought I was gonna live forever..

Good Post OsageArcher...thanks.

I spent a career in injury risk management back in Canada. When you say the name Colombia to outsiders their immediate reaction is to think "cartels". That's how people around the world are "conditioned".
Interesting because hanging out in New York City, St. Louis, Chicago, Los Angeles, Toronto and east end Vancouver can be statistically worse than Colombia as far as homicides go. For me, I tend to avoid asking for trouble. That's how it really works. Play the personal safety rules and you cut the odds of a problem down greatly.
The people around the world don't seem to be "conditioned" about the deadly roads here though. Walking the streets is a HUGE risk in Colombia.The death rates here on the highways is 7 or 8 times that of North America and Europe. I have had 2 close calls walking here in Armenia in the last year and I am real safety minded.
The ignorance and apathy of the highly unskilled Colombian drivers, especially motorcycles, can get you killed real quick. There are some smart skilled drivers in Latin America but they are a small minority from my observations.
So my fellow expats...be vigilant as a pedestrian...OK?  And always, taking the bus is the least risk of all.

"So my fellow expats...be vigilant as a pedestrian...OK?" Good advice. I have no car or moto and walk or ride the MIO everywhere I go. The vehicle has the right away. 10 1/2 years with no close calls but I always pay attention from all directions.  I never assume that the approaching moto will not suddenly veer onto the sidewalk where I am standing or walking because with any amount of traffic they will. Cars will too but to a lesser degree.

I love this topic. People ask me several times a week. "Isn't it dangerous in Colombia?"

I always answer, "Yes, it is but so is the USA. I don't do drugs, drink alcohol or participate in casual sex/prostitution and am reasonably intelligent." "In Colombia I am alert, humble and aware, the same as in the USA."

Then I like to post this photo of an upstanding citizen who was recently arrested and convicted with his girlfriend of heinous acts of senseless violence 1 mile from my USA house. In 24 hours they robbed (with a big pistol) about 5 or six people and businesses and pistol whipped people breaking their faces.

Crazy Yanks