Venezuela Travel Advisory: Level 4 — Do Not Travel

Current US State Department advisory: Level 4 — Do Not Travel.

Primary Risks

• Violent crime: Homicide, armed robbery, kidnapping, carjacking — widespread, including tourist areas
• Political instability: Arbitrary detention, expulsion of foreigners, suppressed dissent
• Collapsed services: Healthcare (medicine/equipment shortages), electricity, water, fuel
• Law enforcement breakdown: Police ineffective/complicit; no reliable emergency response
• Wrongful detention risk: US citizens targeted for political leverage

If You Must Go (Extreme Circumstances Only)

• Enroll in STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program)
• Comprehensive evacuation insurance (medical + security)
• Local security contractor; avoid routines; vary routes/times
• Stock medications, water filtration, comms redundancy (satellite)
• Register with nearest embassy (US uses Colombia-based Venezuela Affairs Unit)

Residents

Strongly consider departing. Dual nationals: Venezuelan law may not recognize US citizenship; exit/entry complications likely.

Venezuela isn't a "risk-managed" destination — it's a systemic failure environment where standard precautions don't apply.