The U.S. State Department recently reissued a “Level 4: Do Not Travel” warning to U.S. citizens living in or traveling to Venezuela, citing “the high risk of wrongful detention, torture in detention, terrorism, kidnapping, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, crime, civil unrest, and poor health infrastructure.”
On Monday, the department said, “All U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents in Venezuela are strongly advised to depart immediately.”
“Do not travel to Venezuela for any reason,” the advisory warned in bold writing.
The five main reasons why Americans should avoid the country, according to the department:
- The Department has determined there is a very high risk of wrongful detention of nationals, with the U.S. government unable to contact them and those detained unable to contact family members or independent legal counsel. According to former detainees, as well as independent human rights organizations, detainees have been subjected to torture and cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment.
- Violent crimes, such as homicide, armed robbery, kidnapping and carjacking, are common in Venezuela.
- Political rallies and demonstrations occur, often with little notice. Police and security forces have instituted a brutal crackdown on pro-democracy or anti-regime demonstrations, which occasionally devolve into looting and vandalism.
- Colombian terrorist groups operate in Venezuela’s border areas with Colombia, Brazil and Guyana.
- Shortages of gasoline, electricity, water, medicine, and medical supplies continue throughout much of Venezuela.
If one must travel to Venezuela, the State Department advises several things, including:
- Prepare a will and designate appropriate insurance beneficiaries and/or power of attorney.
- Develop a communication plan with family and/or an employer or host organization. A plan should include a “proof of life” protocol with loved ones so that if you are taken hostage, detained, and/or tortured, your loved ones will know specific questions (and answers) to ask the hostage-takers to confirm you are still alive.
- Consider hiring a professional security organization.
- 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.
- Over the counter and prescription medicines are unlikely to be available to U.S. citizens in Venezuela. Bring enough supplies of over the counter and prescription medicines to last your entire stay in Venezuela.
- Access to medical care in Venezuela is limited. Facilities may not have adequate supplies of basic medications.
If you would like to know more about the advisory, including what to do if traveling to Venezuela despite the advisory, please go to travel.state.gov and navigate to the travel advisories page. There, you can search for “Venezuela,” and see the entire advisory.
