Travel Advisory – Venezuela
Level 3 – Reconsider Travel
C – Crime
Ok – Kidnapping
T – Terrorism
H – Health
N – Natural Disaster
Reconsider journey to Venezuela as a result of threat of crime, kidnapping, terrorism, poor well being infrastructure and pure catastrophe. Some areas have elevated threat. Read your entire Travel Advisory.
Do Not Travel to:
- Venezuela-Colombia border area (20 miles from the border) as a result of threat of crime, kidnapping, and terrorism
- Amazonas state as a result of threat of terrorism
- Apure state as a result of threat of terrorism
- Aragua state exterior of Maracay as a result of threat of crime and kidnapping
- Bolívar state rural areas as a result of threat of crime and kidnapping
- Guárico state as a result of threat crime and kidnapping
- Táchira state as a result of threat of crime and terrorism
Advisory abstract
Natural catastrophe
On June 24, 2026, Venezuela skilled a robust foreshock and earthquake in fast succession. These induced in depth harm and disruption to transportation, infrastructure, and emergency providers.
The Consular Section on the U.S. Embassy in Caracas is presently offering emergency providers solely to U.S. residents.
- Review the U.S. embassy website for the newest updates.
- Review details about staying protected throughout and after an earthquake.
- Stay in contact with transportation firms and recommendation from native authorities.
U.S. embassy operations
In March 2026, the U.S. Embassy in Caracas resumed operations, together with the availability of restricted consular providers for U.S. residents in Venezuela.
- The Consular Section on the U.S. Embassy in Caracas is presently offering emergency American Citizens Services solely.
- The U.S. Embassy in Caracas can solely present restricted emergency providers to U.S. residents exterior of Caracas.
- Visa providers in Venezuela stay suspended. Visa providers are offered by means of the U.S. Embassy in Bogota, Colombia.
Crime and kidnapping
Conditions in some elements of Venezuela stay harmful. Violent crimes akin to murder, armed theft, and kidnapping happen.
- Travelers face elevated threat utilizing unregulated taxis from Maiquetia Simon Bolivar International Airport serving Caracas. Security dangers are additionally current when utilizing ATMs close to the airport.
- Nighttime journey between cities is dangerous.
- U.S. authorities staff working in Venezuela aren’t allowed to make use of public transportation as a result of security dangers.
- Irregular armed teams can perform acts of violence towards residents with out warning. There are not any dependable crime statistics.
Terrorism
There is threat of terrorist violence, together with terrorist assaults and different exercise in Venezuela. Visit the U.S. Department of State’s Country Reports on Terrorism to study extra.
- The Foreign Terrorist Organizations Tren de Aragua and Cartel de Los Soles began in Venezuela and proceed to function.
- Terrorist teams function in Venezuela’s border areas with Colombia, Brazil, and Guyana.
Health Infrastructure
Venezuela’s healthcare system is in a state of extreme disaster.
- There are important shortages of medicines, damaged gear, and crumbling infrastructure in rural areas and in some neighborhoods.
- Public hospitals in distant areas ceaselessly lack working water and electrical energy.
- There are shortages of medical employees. These points have led to excessive mortality charges.
- The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends drugs to stop malaria. Other mosquito-borne ailments (together with chikungunya, zika, dengue, oropouche, and yellow fever), are widespread.
- Contaminated water is a supply of serious gastrointestinal an infection in Venezuela.
If going exterior cities, vacationers ought to contemplate a well being verify earlier than touring to Venezuela to reduce the necessity for medical care.
Risks in particular areas
Level 4 – Do not journey
Venezuela-Colombia border area
Do not journey to the Venezuela-Colombia border area (20 miles from the border) as a result of threat of crime, kidnapping, and terrorism.
- Due to the dangers, U.S. authorities staff working in Venezuela are prohibited from touring to this area.
- Terrorist teams and prison teams function within the border area.
- Do not journey right here for any motive.
Amazonas state
Do not journey to the Amazonas state as a result of threat of terrorism.
- Due to the dangers, U.S. authorities staff working in Venezuela are prohibited from touring to this area.
- Terrorist teams function in Amazonas state.
- Do not journey right here for any motive.
Apure state
Do not journey to the Apure state as a result of threat of terrorism.
- Due to the dangers, U.S. authorities staff working in Venezuela are prohibited from touring to this area.
- Terrorist teams and prison teams function in Apure state.
- Do not journey right here for any motive.
Aragua state exterior of Maracay
Do not journey to the Aragua state exterior of Maracay as a result of threat of crime and kidnapping.
- Due to the dangers, U.S. authorities staff working in Venezuela are prohibited from touring to this area.
- Criminal teams function in Aragua state.
- Do not journey right here for any motive.
Bolívar state rural areas
Do not journey to rural areas of the Bolívar state as a result of threat of crime and kidnapping.
- Due to the dangers, U.S. authorities staff working in Venezuela are prohibited from touring to this area.
- Criminal teams function within the rural areas of the Bolívar state.
- Do not journey right here for any motive.
Guárico state
Do not journey to the Guárico state as a result of threat crime and kidnapping.
- Due to the dangers, U.S. authorities staff working in Venezuela are prohibited from touring to this area.
- Criminal teams function in Guárico state.
- Do not journey right here for any motive.
Táchira state
Do not journey to the Táchira state as a result of threat of crime and terrorism.
- Due to the dangers, U.S. authorities staff working in Venezuela are prohibited from touring to this area.
- Terrorist teams and prison teams function in Táchira state.
- Do not journey right here for any motive.
If you resolve to journey to Venezuela:
- Enroll within the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get vital updates and alerts from the U.S. authorities. Enrolling helps the U.S. authorities contact you or your emergency contact in an emergency.
- Review the Country Security Report for Venezuela.
- The U.S. authorities is extraordinarily restricted in its capacity to supply emergency providers to U.S. residents, particularly exterior Caracas, as a result of its restricted presence and the security dangers.
- A visa is required to enter Venezuela. Visas aren’t out there on arrival. Travelers threat detention for getting into with no legitimate Venezuelan visa.
- The U.S. authorities can not assist U.S. residents in Venezuela exchange misplaced or expired Venezuelan journey paperwork or get Venezuelan entry or exit stamps.
- If you’re a enterprise traveler, it’s best to seek the advice of along with your firm’s safety division on methods to remain protected. This might embrace hiring an expert safety group.
- Do not bodily resist any theft try.
- Do not show indicators of wealth, like costly watches or jewellery.
- Develop a communication plan with household, your employer, or host group. This helps them monitor your security and placement as you journey by means of high-risk areas. Specify how you’ll affirm you’re protected (textual content, calls, and many others.), how typically, and who you’ll contact first to share the knowledge.
- Establish a proof-of-life protocol along with your family members. If you’re taken hostage, your family members will know particular questions (and solutions) to ask the hostage-takers to verify that you’re being held captive and alive.
- Review our data on Travel to High Risk Areas , U.S. Citizens Missing Abroad , Crime Abroad , Terrorism , and for Victims of Crime .
- Make certain your insurance coverage contains medical evacuation protection.
- Check along with your healthcare supplier about required vaccines for high-risk publicity earlier than you go to Venezuela. Review the Health part within the Travel Guidance for Venezuela.
- Bring sufficient provides of over-the-counter and prescription medicines to cowl the length of the journey.
- Have a plan to depart in an emergency that doesn’t rely on U.S. authorities assist. Review our data on Crisis and Evacuations.
- Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) web site for the latest Travel Health Information for Venezuela.
- Whether you’re a first time or frequent traveler, use the International Travel Checklist .
- We extremely suggest that you just purchase journey insurance coverage earlier than you journey. Check along with your travel insurance provider about evacuation help, medical insurance coverage, and journey cancelation protection.