The U.S. Department of State is urging American citizens to avoid traveling to Venezuela due to crime, civil unrest, kidnapping and the arbitrary enforcement of local laws.

The reissued level 4 travel advisory follows the March 2019 U.S. withdrawal of all diplomatic personnel from the U.S. Embassy in Caracas before operations were suspended in the country.

The U.S. Embassy in Venezuela points out that violent crimes such as homicide, armed robbery, kidnapping and carjacking are common across the country and warns that anti-government demonstrations bring out police and security forces who utilize tear gas, pepper spray and rubber bullets against participants and occasionally devolve into looting and vandalism.

Shortages of gasoline, electricity, water, medicine and medical supplies also plague the country.

The embassy goes on to say that the U.S. government also has no ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Venezuela and urges citizens to try to leave as soon as safely possible and to contact a U.S. embassy or consulate in another country.

In 2023, there were approximately 26.8 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants in Venezuela — down from 40.4 in 2022.

If you decide to travel to Venezuela, the State Department suggests you:

• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
• Review the Country Security Report for Venezuela.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.