US Issues ‘Do Not Travel’ Warning for Venezuela, Citing Wrongful Detention, Terrorism Concerns

‘More U.S. citizens are currently wrongfully detained in Venezuela than in any other country,’ the State Department said.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro speaks during a press conference after casting his vote during the presidential elections at Escuela Ecológica Bolivariana Simón Rodríguez in Fuerte Tiuna, Caracas, Venezuela, on July 28, 2024. Jesus Vargas/Getty Images

The U.S. State Department has issued a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory for U.S. citizens visiting Venezuela, warning of a significant and growing risk of wrongful detention in the South American country.

In a May 27 statement, the department said it assigned the highest level advisory to the country because of this and other severe risks, including “torture in detention, terrorism, kidnapping, unfair law enforcement practices, violent crime, civil unrest, and inadequate healthcare.”