Travel Advisory
Level 3Reconsider Travel
The travel advisory level decreased to 3. The “Wrongful Detention,” “Unrest,” and “Other” risk indicators were removed. Areas of increased risk were added. Advisory summary was updated to reflect changes to U.S. embassy operations. Reconsider travel to Venezuela due to risk of crime, kidnapping, terrorism, and poor health infrastructure. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Do Not Travel to: Venezuela-Colombia border region (20 miles from the border) due to the risk of crime, kidnapping, and terrorism Amazonas state due to the risk of terrorism Apure state due to risk of terrorism Aragua state outside of Maracay due to the risk of crime and kidnapping Bolivar state rural areas due to the risk of crime and kidnapping Guarico state due to the risk crime and kidnapping Tachira state due to the risk of crime and terrorism Advisory summary U.S. embassy operations In January 2026, the U.S. Department of State began a phased approach to resuming embassy operations in Venezuela. The Venezuela Affairs Unit located in Embassy Bogotá will continue to serve as the remote mission to Venezuela until the resumption of operations at the U.S. Embassy in Caracas. Given the embassy’s suspended operations, U.S. government employees need special authorization to travel to Venezuela. They need authorization to travel outside of Caracas due to the safety risks. Routine consular services remain suspended in Venezuela. The Venezuela Affairs Unit cannot provide emergency services to U.S. citizens outside of Caracas. Most consular services are still provided through the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá, Colombia. Crime and kidnapping While the situation is improving, conditions in some parts of Venezuela remain dangerous. Violent crimes such as homicide, armed robbery, and kidnapping occur. Travelers face increased risk using unregulated taxis from Maiquetía Simón Bolívar International Airport serving Caracas. Security risks are also present when using ATMs near the airport. Nighttime travel between cities or between the Maiquetía Simón Bolívar International Airport and Caracas is risky. Irregular armed groups can carry out acts of violence against citizens without warning. Reliable crime statistics are unavailable. Terrorism There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Venezuela. Visit the U.S. Department of State’s country reports on terrorism to learn more. The Foreign Terrorist Organizations Tren de Aragua and Cartel de los Soles started in Venezuela and continue to operate. Terrorist groups operate in Venezuela’s border areas with Colombia, Brazil, and Guyana. Health Infrastructure Venezuela’s healthcare system is recovering from a state of severe crisis. There are critical shortages of medicines, broken equipment, and crumbling infrastructure in rural areas and in some neighborhoods. Public hospitals in isolated areas frequently lack running water and electricity. There are shortages of medical staff. These issues have led to high mortality rates. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends medicine to prevent malaria. Other mosquito-borne diseases, including chikungunya, zika, dengue, oropouche, and yellow fever, are common. Contaminated water is a source of significant gastrointestinal infection in Venezuela. If going outside urban centers, travelers should consider a health check before going to Venezuela to minimize the need for medical care while traveling. Risks in specific areas Level 4 – Do not travel Venezuela-Colombia border region Do not travel to the Venezuela-Colombia border region (20 miles from the border) due to the risk of crime, kidnapping, and terrorism. Given the embassy’s suspended operations, U.S. government employees need special authorization to travel to Venezuela and need authorization to travel outside Caracas due to the safety risks. Terrorist groups and criminal groups operate in the border region. Do not travel here for any reason. Amazonas state Do not travel to the Amazonas state due to the risk of terrorism. Given the embassy’s suspended operations, U.S. government employees need special authorization to travel to Venezuela and need authorization to travel outside Caracas due to the safety risks. Terrorist groups operate in Amazonas state. Do not travel here for any reason. Apure state Do not travel to the Apure state due to risk of terrorism Given the embassy’s suspended operations, U.S. government employees need special authorization to travel to Venezuela and need authorization to travel outside Caracas due to the safety risks. Terrorist groups and criminal groups operate in Apure state. Do not travel here for any reason. Aragua state outside of Maracay Do not travel to the Aragua state outside of Maracay due to the risk of crime and kidnapping. Given the embassy’s suspended operations, U.S. government employees need special authorization to travel to Venezuela and need authorization to travel outside Caracas due to the safety risks. Criminal groups operate in Aragua state. Do not travel here for any reason. Bolivar state rural areas Do not travel to rural areas of the Bolivar state due to the risk of crime and kidnapping. Given the embassy’s suspended operations, U.S. government employees need special authorization to travel to Venezuela and need authorization to travel outside Caracas due to the safety risks. Criminal groups operate in the rural areas of the Bolivar state. Do not travel here for any reason. Guarico state Do not travel to the Guarico state due to the risk crime and kidnapping. Given the embassy’s suspended operations, U.S. government employees need special authorization to travel to Venezuela and need authorization to travel outside Caracas due to the safety risks. Criminal groups operate in Guarico state. Do not travel here for any reason. Tachira state Do not travel to the Tachira state due to the risk of crime and terrorism. Given the embassy’s suspended operations, U.S. government employees need special authorization to travel to Venezuela and need authorization to travel outside Caracas due to the safety risks. Terrorist groups and criminal groups operate in Tachira state. Do not travel here for any reason. If you decide to travel to Venezuela: Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get important updates and alerts from the U.S. government. Enrolling helps the U.S. government contact you or your emergency contact in an emergency. The U.S. government is extremely limited in its ability to offer emergency services to U.S. citizens, especially outside Caracas due to its limited presence and the safety risks. A visa is required to enter Venezuela. Visas are not available on arrival. Travelers risk detention for entering without a valid Venezuelan visa. The U.S. government cannot assist U.S. citizens in Venezuela in replacing lost or expired Venezuelan travel documents or getting Venezuelan entry or exit stamps. If you are a business traveler, you should consult with your company's security department on ways to stay safe. This may include hiring a professional security organization. Do not physically resist any robbery attempt. Do not display signs of wealth, like expensive watches or jewelry. Develop a communication plan with family, your employer, or host organization. This helps them monitor your safety and location as you travel through high-risk areas. Specify how you'll confirm you are safe (text, calls, etc.), how often, and who you will contact first to share the information. Establish a proof-of-life protocol with your loved ones. If you are taken hostage, your loved ones will know specific questions (and answers) to ask the hostage-takers to confirm that you are being held captive and alive. Review our information on Travel to High Risk Areas, U.S. Citizens Missing Abroad, Crime Abroad, Terrorism, and for Victims of Crime. Make sure your insurance includes medical evacuation coverage. Check with your healthcare provider about required vaccines for high-risk exposure before you go to Venezuela. Review the Health section in the Travel Guidance for Venezuela. Bring enough supplies of over the counter and prescription medicines to cover the duration of the trip. Have a plan to depart in an emergency that does not depend on U.S. government help. Review our information on Crisis and Evacuations. Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get important updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy. Enrolling helps the U.S. embassy contact you or your emergency contact in an emergency. Review the Country Security Report for Venezuela. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the latest Travel Health Information for Venezuela. Whether you are a first time or frequent traveler, use the International Travel Checklist. We highly recommend that you buy travel insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancelation coverage.
Full advisory on travel.state.gov →Updated: 2026-03-18T20:00:00-04:00
