U.S. travel officials are telling Americans to avoid traveling to a popular South American vacation destination.
The U.S. Department of State reissued a “Level 4: Do Not Travel” advisory, the highest classification of travel warnings, for Venezuela due to “crime, civil unrest, kidnapping, and the arbitrary enforcement of local laws.”
Wrongful detentions, terrorism, and poor health infrastructure are also reasons to avoid Venezuela, officials said. The notice is the lates move by the U.S., which withdrew all diplomatic personnel from U.S. Embassy Caracas and suspended operations in March 2019.
“All consular services, routine and emergency, remain suspended until further notice. The U.S. government has no ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Venezuela,” the travel advisory said. “U.S. citizens in Venezuela who require consular assistance should try to leave the country as soon as safely possible to do so and should contact a U.S. embassy or consulate in another country.”
Venezuela has been un turmoil with random demonstrations and political rallies against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro happening without notice.
Maduro is seeking a third term in office in the country’s July elections, but he hasn’t been popular with many. Under Maduro’s tenure as president, millions of people have fallen into poverty and more than 7.7 million others have tried to flee the country, according to The Associated Press.
Anti-Maduro demonstrations have elicited a strong police and security force response, including the use of 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 continue throughout much of Venezuela, U.S. officials said.
Additionally, Colombian terrorist groups operate in Venezuela’s border areas with Colombia, Brazil, and Guyana.
If you must travel to Venezuela:
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