U.S. Embassy in
Venezuela

Security Alert:  Venezuela – Risk of Arrest and Detention for U.S. Citizens (November 19, 2021)

Location:  Venezuela

Event:  The Department of State reminds all U.S.-citizen travelers of the risk of arrest and detention of U.S. citizens in Venezuela without due process or fair trial guarantees, or as a pretext for an illegitimate purpose.  The Department has published a Level 4 Travel Advisory for Venezuela and advises citizens not to travel to Venezuela and for those present in Venezuela to depart using commercially available means.

In 2019, the U.S. Department of State withdrew all diplomatic personnel from U.S. Embassy Caracas.  All consular services, routine and emergency, are suspended until further notice.  The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Venezuela.  U.S. citizens in Venezuela who require consular services should try to leave the country as soon and as safely as possible and contact a U.S. embassy or consulate in another country.

Regime-aligned security forces have detained U.S. citizens for long periods.  The Maduro regime does not notify the U.S. government of the detention of U.S. citizens and the U.S. government is not permitted access to those U.S. citizens.

Read the country information page.

If you decide to travel to Venezuela:

• See the Venezuela Affairs Unit’s webpage regarding COVID-19.
• Visit the CDC’s webpage on Travel during COVID-19.
• Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
• Be prepared for an indefinite stay as there are limited international flights into or out of Venezuela and the Maduro regime has, at times, blocked U.S. persons’ access to departing flights.
• Be prepared for indefinite detention on specious charges without consular access.
• Do not travel between cities after dark.
• Avoid travel between Simón Bolívar International Airport and Caracas at night.
• Do not take unregulated taxis from Simón Bolívar International Airport and avoid ATMs in this area.
• Avoid demonstrations.
• Bring a sufficient supply of over-the-counter and prescription medicines.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
• Follow the U.S. Embassy in Venezuela on Facebook and Twitter.
• Review the Crime and Safety Report for Venezuela.
• U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.

Assistance:

U.S. Embassy Bogota, Colombia

Tel. +57-1-275-2000

acsbogota@state.gov
https://co.usembassy.gov/

U.S. Department of State – Consular Affairs

1-888-407-4747 or 1-202-501-4444