OK, but that also mentions the part about " if the lap-top or tablet fails inspection for exterior damages such as scratches, missing parts, the airlines authorized to fly to major hubs within the United States will not be allowed to transport the device."

That's what I'm asking about. I'm flying down there from Boston in August and back a week later and I usually bring my oldest, cheapest most beat up laptop when I travel because it's the most "sacrificial". But obviously it's also the most scratched.

I've never heard of security caring about stuff like that. Has anyone here? Are these directives coming from TSA or are the Colombian authorities thinking them up on their own? Is this related to a terrorism threat like the other proposed laptop bans, or is it something new related to drug smuggling or similar activities? Air travel is getting insane these days.

How much do I have to worry about bringing an old-beat up laptop now? Or for that matter, old beat up cameras? I often travel with expensive, professional photographic gear, and I DELIBERATELY paint the bodies different colors and mark up the lens barrels - partly to discourage theft and partly to allow me to make fast identifications when shooting quickly in the field. Much of my photo gear looks like it's been through a war followed by an earthquake even though it's technically in mint condition. Although I'm not planning to bring it on this trip, I will on future trips, and I also have other international photographic trips planned.