The U.S. government issued an alert today, strongly advising American citizens against all travel to Venezuela, citing a “significant and growing risk of wrongful detention.”
The Department of State has maintained its highest Travel Advisory for the South American nation – Level 4: Do Not Travel – underscoring severe dangers that also include torture in detention, terrorism, kidnapping, unfair law enforcement practices, violent crime, civil unrest, and inadequate healthcare.
A media note released by the State Department revealed a grim statistic: “More U.S. nationals are currently wrongfully detained in Venezuela than in any other country.” The alert details accounts of U.S. citizens being detained by Venezuelan security forces for up to five years without respect to due process.
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These detentions often occur under harsh conditions, including torture, and are frequently based solely on the individual’s U.S. nationality or possession of a U.S. passport.
Additionally, no U.S. embassy or consulate operates in Venezuela. The advisory warns that Venezuelan authorities routinely fail to notify the U.S. government when American citizens are detained and do not permit U.S. officials consular access to them.
Detainees are frequently denied communication with family members and legal counsel, leaving the United States unable to provide routine or emergency consular assistance to its nationals.
The warning emphasizes that no American is immune to these risks, regardless of their reasons for travel or connections within the country.
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“Americans often travel to Venezuela with or to see loved ones or spouses’ families; they face the same risks as other travelers,” the statement read. “Family members of U.S. nationals are often detained alongside the American traveler. Visiting Venezuela puts other people at risk.”
The State Department further clarified that “Dual citizenship, a Venezuelan visa, past travel to Venezuela, or a job in Venezuela does not protect U.S. national travelers. Every American is at risk of being detained by Maduro’s regime.”
In light of these escalating dangers, the U.S. Department of State has issued an unambiguous directive: “Any U.S. citizens in Venezuela leave immediately. Anyone with U.S. citizenship or any other U.S. residency status in Venezuela should leave the country immediately, including those traveling on Venezuelan or other foreign passports. Do not travel to Venezuela for any reason.”
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The gravity of the situation is further highlighted by security alerts issued by U.S. embassies in countries bordering Venezuela and those with direct air links to the nation, all echoing the severe risks detailed in the primary travel advisory.
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