The U.S. government has issued a warning advising its citizens against traveling to Venezuela due to significant risks, including wrongful detention and other severe threats. The Department of State has assigned Venezuela its highest Travel Advisory level—Level 4: Do Not Travel—highlighting dangers such as terrorism, kidnapping, unfair law enforcement practices, violent crime, civil unrest, and inadequate healthcare.
U.S. embassies in neighboring countries and those with direct air links to Venezuela have also released security alerts emphasizing these risks. The situation for U.S. nationals in Venezuela is particularly concerning, as more Americans are currently wrongfully detained there than anywhere else globally.
Venezuelan authorities have detained U.S. citizens for up to five years without due process and often under harsh conditions that include torture. These detentions are frequently based solely on their nationality or possession of a U.S. passport.
Currently, there is no functioning U.S. embassy or consulate in Venezuela. Venezuelan officials do not notify the U.S. government about detained citizens nor allow visits from U.S. officials, denying detainees access to family members and legal counsel.
Americans visiting Venezuela often do so to see loved ones or family members of spouses but face the same risks as other travelers. Family members of American travelers are also at risk of being detained alongside them.
The alert emphasizes that dual citizenship, holding a Venezuelan visa, previous travel history to the country, or employment in Venezuela does not protect American travelers from being detained by the Maduro regime.
The Department of State strongly advises any Americans currently in Venezuela to leave immediately regardless of their residency status or passport type used for travel.
For ongoing updates and information regarding this advisory, individuals are encouraged to visit the U.S. Department of State's website where they state: "Our highest priority is the safety and security of U.S. citizens."
