US Embassy Renews Venezuela ‘Do Not Travel’ Advisory for Americans

The bulletin was sent out as tensions between the United States and Venezuela have escalated in recent days.

A U.S. flag at a U.S. Embassy building in a file photo. Adek Berry/AFP via Getty Images

The U.S. government renewed an advisory warning Americans not to travel to Venezuela in the midst of heightened tensions between the Trump administration and President Nicolás Maduro’s regime.

In a bulletin on Wednesday, the U.S. Embassy in Venezuela noted that the country is currently under a “Level 4: Do Not Travel” advisory, adding that Americans should not travel to the Latin American nation “for any reason.”

“Do not travel to or remain in Venezuela due to the high risk of wrongful detention, torture in detention, terrorism, kidnapping, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, crime, civil unrest, and poor health infrastructure. All U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents in Venezuela are strongly advised to depart immediately,” the notice said.

The U.S. government severed diplomatic ties with Venezuela in 2019, shutting down its embassy. This means the government has no ability to provide consular services to Americans in the country.

“The U.S. government cannot assist U.S. citizens in Venezuela in replacing lost or expired travel documents or obtaining Venezuelan entry or exit stamps,” the advisory stated. “The U.S. government will not be able to assist should the need for a medical emergency or evacuation arise. U.S. citizens in Venezuela should consider purchasing medical evacuation insurance.”

Americans who have plans to travel to or from Venezuela should create “proof of life” before their trip, the Embassy said.

There are also shortages of fuel, water, electricity, medicine, and other supplies in the country, which has been governed by a socialist party for the past two decades or so.

“Violent crimes, such as homicide, armed robbery, kidnapping and carjacking, are common in Venezuela,” the advisory said, adding that travelers face risks if they use “unregulated taxis from the Maiquetia Simón Bolívar International Airport and using ATMs in the area.”

It further noted that terrorists groups operate along the Venezuela’s borders with Colombia, Brazil, and Guyana.

The advisory did not make any mention of the potential for U.S. military strikes inside Venezuela after President Donald Trump this week told reporters at the White House that land strikes are coming soon.

The U.S. military has built up its presence in the Caribbean Sea north of Venezuela in recent weeks and has launched around 20 strikes on suspected drug boats.

“We’re going to start doing those strikes on land, too,” Trump said at the White House alongside his Cabinet officials, responding to a question regarding whether the military will strike land targets in Venezuela. “We know where they live. We know where the bad ones live, and we’re going to start that very soon.”

The State Department labeled the Cártel de los Soles organization a terrorist group last month, accusing Maduro of effectively serving as the leader of that organization. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday accused Maduro of using Venezuela’s government as a “transshipment organization” to send drugs to other countries sourced from neighboring Colombia, which is the top producer of cocaine worldwide, according to the Wilson Center.

Further, Rubio accused Maduro of being the illegitimate leader of Venezuela. According to the Carter Center, international observers have said that last year’s election that saw Maduro take power again was rife with irregularities.