Washington/Caracas, January 11, 2026 – The U.S. State Department has issued an urgent travel and security alert urging all American citizens in Venezuela to depart the country “immediately”, citing a volatile security situation and ongoing risks to U.S. nationals.
The advisory, issued after a series of dramatic recent events in Venezuela, emphasizes that:
- The security situation “remains fluid” and unpredictable.
- International flights have resumed, and Americans who can leave should do so without delay.
- Armed militia groups known as “colectivos” are reportedly setting up roadblocks and checking vehicles for signs of U.S. citizenship or support for the United States, increasing risks for U.S. citizens.
- Venezuela remains at Travel Advisory Level 4: Do Not Travel, the highest warning level, due to risks including wrongful detention, kidnapping, terrorism, civil unrest, and weak health infrastructure.
The U.S. alert also cautions that all consular services in Venezuela remain suspended, meaning the U.S. government currently cannot provide routine or emergency assistance to Americans there.
These warnings come amid wider geopolitical developments, including reports of a U.S. military operation in early January that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, which has contributed to heightened tensions and instability across the country.
The Venezuelan government, for its part, has dismissed some U.S. claims about security risks as exaggerated or unfounded, asserting that the situation remains under control.
