State Department Issues ‘Do Not Travel’ Warning for Venezuela

An American flag flutters in the wind at the U.S. embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine, on January 24, 2022. Gleb Garanich/Reuters

The U.S. Department of State issued a “do not travel” warning for Venezuela, renewing a previous advisory that told American citizens they shouldn’t visit the country.

In a recent bulletin, the federal agency maintained its “Level 4” advisory, the most dangerous level, for the country, citing high levels of crime and possible civil unrest.

“Violent crimes, such as homicide, armed robbery, kidnapping, and carjacking, are common in Venezuela. Political rallies and demonstrations occur, often with little notice,” the State Department said, adding that demonstrators against President Nicolas Maduro “have elicited a strong police and security force response, including the use of tear gas, pepper spray, and rubber bullets against participants.”

“Shortages of gasoline, electricity, water, medicine, and medical supplies continue throughout much of Venezuela,” it continued to say.

Meanwhile, U.S. citizens face a “high risk” of being detained by Venezuelan authorities, noting that the country’s security forces have imprisoned Americans for as long as five years. “The U.S. government is not generally notified of the detention of U.S. citizens in Venezuela or granted access to U.S. citizen prisoners there,” it added.

In 2019, the U.S. State Department withdrew all of its diplomatic personnel from the U.S. Embassy in Caracas, the capital, and suspended operations there.

“All consular services, routine and emergency, remain suspended until further notice. The U.S. government has no ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Venezuela,” the bulletin noted.

U.S. citizens in Venezuela who need consular assistance should attempt to leave as soon as possible and contact a U.S. embassy or consulate in a separate country, it added.

Meanwhile, the bulletin noted foreign terrorist organizations from neighboring Colombia are operating in Venezuela.

A 2022 report from the State Department stated that the Marxist group known as FARC, which fought against the Colombian government for decades, still operates in the country

The bulletin’s re-issuance comes just weeks before elections are slated to occur in July. Presidential elections, which could see Mr. Maduro grab another presidential term, are scheduled for July 28, although some leading opposition candidates have been disqualified from running in the elections, drawing condemnation from international human rights organizations.

The State Department has been critical of Mr. Maduro, adding that in 2019, he “illegally claimed the presidency of Venezuela, despite global condemnation of a rigged election” and is moving the country closer to becoming a dictatorship.

“Since retaining power, the Maduro regime continues to disregard and repress the voices of the Venezuelan people in their calls for a return to democracy,” the agency said. “Maduro is dismantling Venezuela’s democratic institutions, economy and infrastructure through abuse of state power and through alliances with outside nations including Cuba, Russia, Iran, and China, that repress the Venezuelan people further.”

In Latin America and the Caribbean regions, “Level 3” or “reconsider travel” advisories have been issued by the State Department for Colombia, Guyana, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Haiti, Guatemala, and states in Mexico. Several “Level 4” advisories have remained intact for several Mexican states, largely due to crime and drug cartel-related activity.

Worldwide Alert

The bulletin for Venezuela comes as the State Department recently issued a “worldwide alert” for U.S. citizens over possible terrorist attacks in other countries.

In a “security alert” posted on its website, the agency states that the warning was sent because of the “potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations, or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests.” Americans who are overseas are encouraged to use “increased caution,” the alert states.

The State Department said it is also “aware of the increased potential for foreign terrorist organization-inspired violence against” LGBT people, according to the alert.

In a separate bulletin, both the FBI and DHS said earlier this month groups such as the ISIS terrorist group might “seek to exploit increased gatherings associated” with Pride-related events. The terrorist threats could come via the mail, in person, or online, the agencies stated without elaborating or providing specific details.