U.S. Issues Urgent Warning: “Do Not Travel to Venezuela”

Embassy Raises Alert Over Escalating Dangers

The U.S. government has issued an urgent warning: Do not travel to Venezuela under any circumstances.

On May 27, the U.S. Embassy in Caracas released a statement advising American citizens to avoid travel to Venezuela—and to stay clear of the country’s borders with Colombia, Brazil, and Guyana.

Highest Travel Advisory Level

The State Department has long discouraged travel to Venezuela. The country remains at Level 4: Do Not Travel—the highest advisory level.

This warning has been in place since 2019, when the U.S. temporarily suspended operations at its Caracas embassy and withdrew all diplomatic staff.

However, due to an increase in wrongful detentions of U.S. citizens, the alert has now been intensified.

Severe Risks for Americans in Venezuela

In its statement, the U.S. government outlined the serious threats travelers may face, including:

• Wrongful detention

• Tor.ture

• Kid.napping

• Terr.orism

• Arbitrary enforcement of local laws

• Vio.lent cr.ime and civil unrest

• Poor health infrastructure

Officials say more Americans are wrongfully detained in Venezuela than anywhere else in the world. Other foreign nationals also face unjust imprisonment.

The advisory warns that U.S. citizens may be falsely accused of terrorism or serious crimes and then held for extended periods.

No Embassy Support

Crucially, the U.S. has no operating embassy or consulate in Venezuela. That means no emergency or routine consular services are available.

Worse still, Venezuelan authorities do not notify the U.S. government when American citizens are detained. Families and private attorneys are not granted access to detainees.

For Americans Already in Venezuela

The State Department’s advice is clear:

“There is no safe way for Americans to travel to Venezuela.”

U.S. citizens currently in the country are urged to leave immediately.

In addition, travelers should avoid the borders with Colombia, Brazil, and Guyana. Many of these areas are poorly marked, increasing the risk of accidentally entering Venezuela—and being detained.