The U.S. government has issued a warning to American citizens against travel to Venezuela, citing severe risks including wrongful detention, torture in detention, terrorism, kidnapping, and inadequate healthcare.
Due to these extreme conditions, the Department of State assigns Venezuela its highest Travel Advisory level—Level 4: Do Not Travel—a designation made for countries considered to pose an extremely high risk to U.S. citizens. U.S. embassies in countries bordering Venezuela, as well as those with direct air links to the country, have released security alerts highlighting these risks.
U.S. citizens currently residing in Venezuela face a significant and growing threat of wrongful detention. According to reports, Venezuelan security forces have detained U.S. citizens for up to five years without respect to due process, often based solely on their nationality or passport. Detainees frequently experience harsh conditions, including torture, with little to no access to legal counsel.
The lack of a U.S. embassy or consulate in Venezuela exacerbates the situation, as authorities do not notify the U.S. government when U.S. citizens are detained or allow U.S. officials to visit them. This has resulted in numerous cases where family members and loved ones are denied contact with detainees.
Furthermore, even those who enter Venezuela under different circumstances, such as for dual citizenship or a job, remain at risk of being detained by the Maduro regime. The Department of State urges all U.S. citizens to leave Venezuela immediately, regardless of their residency status.
The U.S. government emphasizes that visiting Venezuela poses risks not only to American travelers but also to others. It advises against travel to the country for any reason and encourages those with U.S. citizenship or other U.S. residency statuses in Venezuela to depart as soon as possible.
For more information and updates, please visit the U.S. Department of State's website. The department prioritizes the safety and security of its citizens abroad.