The U.S. State Department updated its travel advisory for Venezuela on May 12, reaffirming its Level 4: Do Not Travel warning.
In its advisory, the office led by Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, emphasized that U.S. citizens face an extremely high risk of wrongful detention, torture, terrorism, and kidnapping if they are in that South American country.
The new update, described by the agency itself as a "reiteration and emphasis of the extreme danger," reinforces the message that Washington has maintained since 2019, when the withdrawal of U.S. diplomatic personnel from Caracas was ordered and the complete suspension of consular services.
"Do not travel to or remain in Venezuela", emphasized the official document, which urged all American citizens and legal permanent residents to leave the country immediately, including those who are there with Venezuelan passports or other travel documents.
According to the warning, the arbitrary detention of American citizens is one of the most serious threats. The statement detailed that Venezuelan security forces have detained American citizens for years, without access to lawyers, consular visits, or contact with family.
"The U.S. government cannot provide emergency or consular assistance in Venezuela. It has no way to communicate with detained citizens nor can it guarantee their release," the text stated.
Legal and political threats are compounded by a highly insecure environment, characterized by widespread violent crime, a lack of basic medical services, and precarious infrastructure. The shortage of gasoline, electricity, medicine, and potable water continues to affect much of the Venezuelan territory, exacerbating the vulnerability of any foreign visitor.
U.S. authorities also warned about the presence of irregular armed groups, including Colombian terrorist organizations, that operate in the border areas with Colombia, Brazil, and Guyana.
Moreover, the State Department mentioned that it is especially dangerous to travel at night between cities or from Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía to Caracas, as well as to use unregulated taxis or ATMs in those areas. Entering Venezuela without a valid visa could even result in indefinite detention without consular contact.
The document recommended that those who, despite the warnings, decide to stay in or travel to Venezuela should prepare wills, arrange for medical evacuation insurance, and establish "proof of life" communication protocols with family members or employers in case of kidnapping or detention.
Additionally, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued notices that restrict civil flights over Venezuelan airspace due to security risks.
This type of warning is not new. In previous years, Washington has issued similar alerts. In March 2019, following the withdrawal of diplomatic personnel, CiberCuba reported the closure of the embassy in Caracas and the suspension of consular services.
In January of the same year, Trump also urged American citizens to avoid any travel to the oil-rich nation. And in December 2016, the State Department had already advised Americans to leave Venezuela due to increasing instability.
The persistence of these alerts confirms that the situation in Venezuela continues to deteriorate, without guarantees for the physical or legal integrity of foreign citizens.
This new warning from the State Department is published days after a group of Venezuelan opposition members seeking refuge in the Argentine Embassy in Caracas managed to leave the country and arrive in the United States.
The event was described by the Secretary of State as a "rescue," although the regime of Nicolás Maduro insists that it was a negotiated agreement, according to CNN.
The group, linked to the opposition leader María Corina Machado, remained in exile for nearly a year after being accused of participating in an alleged plot to overthrow the Venezuelan leader, who suffered a resounding defeat at the polls, was declared the winner in the recent elections, and launched a brutal repressive offensive against opponents and civil society activists.
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