Overview
- The State Department kept Venezuela at its highest travel warning and told U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents in the country to depart without delay.
- The advisory cites risks that include arbitrary detention, reports of torture during detention, kidnapping, terrorism, violent crime, civil unrest, and arbitrary application of local laws.
- Since the 2019 withdrawal of diplomatic staff from Caracas, the United States says it cannot provide standard consular services in Venezuela, with only limited assistance available via its embassy in Colombia.
- The notice warns that armed groups of Colombian origin operate along Venezuela’s borders with Colombia, Brazil and Guyana, heightening danger in those regions.
- The alert highlights severe shortages of fuel, electricity, water, medicines and medical equipment, cautions against nighttime road travel to Maiquetía airport and use of unregulated taxis or airport ATMs, and recommends document readiness, a family communication and proof‑of‑life plan, travel insurance with medical evacuation, and considering specialized security services.