James Myers of OAN
Friday, May 24, 2024 8:33 AM
The United States has officially updated its travel warning for Venezuela, urging American travelers to understand that the Venezuelan government “does not have the capacity to provide emergency services” to Americans who encounter trouble.
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It was the sternest warning ever issued by the State Department, which blamed civil unrest, a “dip toward authoritarianism,” continuing terrorist threats and anti-American prejudice.
“Violent crimes, including murder, armed robbery, kidnapping and carjacking, are common in Venezuela,” the agency added.
Moreover, the threat is so severe that the U.S. government is advising travelers who insist on traveling to first “establish proof-of-life protocols with their loved ones.”
“If taken hostage, your loved ones will know the specific questions (and answers) to ask the hostage taker to make sure you’re alive (and that it’s not a prank),” the official explained.
“The Department of State has determined that there is a high risk of unjust detention of U.S. nationals in Venezuela, where security forces have detained U.S. nationals for up to five years,” it added, warning that the U.S. government provides little notice to detained U.S. nationals and allows no visits.
The South American country of Venezuela is known for its miles of largely undeveloped Caribbean coastline and beautiful islands, and thousands of Americans visit the country every year.
But after President Hugo Chavez died in 2013 and Nicolas Maduro took office, the number of American tourists began to decline.
After the most recent election, the State Department said, “Despite global condemnation of electoral fraud, Mr. Maduro has illegally claimed the presidency of Venezuela” and is taking steps to move the country toward dictatorship.
Like President Chavez, President Maduro is strengthening “alliances with countries such as Cuba, Russia, Iran and China that further oppress the Venezuelan people.”
The latest warning was first issued in 2019 as the US began withdrawing its personnel from Venezuela and was reissued on May 13.Number.
The dire warning comes as the country looks forward to elections in July.
“Political rallies and demonstrations often take place unannounced. Anti-Maduro demonstrations have provoked a strong response from police and security forces,” it added, “including the use of tear gas, pepper spray and rubber bullets against protesters.”
These incidents “occasionally escalate into looting and vandalism,” they said.
Meanwhile, the country is suffering from shortages of electricity, water, gasoline and medicines.
Additionally, Colombian terrorist groups are active in the border region.
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