US warns citizens in Venezuela to exit the country for safety reasons

U.S. Government Issues Urgent Warning for Americans in Venezuela

The U.S. government has released a new security alert, urging American citizens residing in Venezuela to leave the country without delay. This advice stems from serious security concerns and the U.S. government’s difficulty in providing emergency assistance, according to recent reports.

The Caracas embassy specifically stated in a January 10 alert, “U.S. citizens residing in Venezuela should leave the country immediately.”

This warning highlights concerning reports of armed groups patrolling Venezuelan roads. In its statement, the embassy mentioned that militias, identified as “colectivos,” have been obstructing roads and searching vehicles for signs of American citizenship or any affiliations with the U.S.

With international flights gradually resuming, the embassy emphasized the urgency of leaving the country. “As international travel options have reopened, U.S. citizens in Venezuela are strongly advised to depart as soon as possible,” the embassy reiterated.

The warning arrives amid rising tensions within Venezuela, as there have been unsettling accounts of armed groups targeting individuals perceived as supporters of former President Trump.

The U.S. State Department maintains a Level 4 travel advisory for Venezuela, its highest warning level. The advisory cites significant risks including wrongful detention, custodial torture, terrorism, kidnapping, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, and ongoing civil unrest.

According to the State Department, these threats underscore the critical need for caution. “Due to the serious risks to American citizens, Venezuela remains under the highest travel advisory level,” they stated.

The U.S. embassy also noted that Americans currently in Venezuela should not rely on any consular support. Since March 2019, all U.S. diplomatic personnel have been withdrawn from the Caracas embassy, which has led to a suspension of operations. “The U.S. government continues to be unable to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens residing in Venezuela,” the embassy explained.

Authorities have made it clear: Americans should not travel to Venezuela at this time. The embassy strongly urged, “U.S. citizens living in Venezuela are encouraged to leave as soon as they feel safe.”