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The United States government issued an alert to its citizens on January 10, warning that armed groups affiliated with the regime are setting up roadblocks on highways and inspecting vehicles for American citizens or signs of ties to Washington. This comes amid the fallout following the capture of Nicolás Maduro and in a climate of open international confrontation.
According to the security alert issued by the Department of State, the so-called collectives—civil militias that operate with official tolerance or support—are reportedly controlling transit points and conducting arbitrary inspections.
For Washington, this practice increases the risk of unjustified arrests and political persecution in a country where there are no minimum guarantees for foreigners deemed "enemies" of the regime.
The warning keeps Venezuela at Level 4, the highest in the U.S. system: “Do not travel.” Authorities recommend that all U.S. citizens leave the country immediately, now that some international flights have resumed, albeit with limited availability.
Since March 2019, Washington has withdrawn all its diplomatic personnel from Caracas and suspended consular services. This means that any American detained or held in Venezuela is, in practice, at the mercy of a judicial system repeatedly criticized for its political use and for allegations of torture and cruel treatment during detention.
The alert also describes a country plagued by constant blackouts, failures of basic services, and a collapsed infrastructure, elements that exacerbate social control and political tension.
The capture of Maduro by the United States, which took place on Saturday, January 3, has shaken the internal balance of power and led Chavismo to rely even more on paramilitary structures and civilian militias to maintain control of the country. In this context, anyone perceived as close to the United States becomes a potential target.
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