Travel Advisory – Venezuela

Level 3 – Reconsider Travel

C – Crime

K – Kidnapping

T – Terrorism

H – Health

N – Natural Disaster

Reconsider travel to Venezuela due to risk of crime, kidnapping, terrorism, poor health infrastructure and natural disaster. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Do Not Travel to:

• Venezuela-Colombia border region (20 miles from the border) due to the risk of crime, kidnapping, and terrorism
• Amazonas state due to the risk of terrorism
• Apure state due to risk of terrorism
• Aragua state outside of Maracay due to the risk of crime and kidnapping
• Bolívar state rural areas due to the risk of crime and kidnapping
• Guárico state due to the risk crime and kidnapping
• Táchira state due to the risk of crime and terrorism

Advisory summary

Natural disaster

On June 24, 2026, Venezuela experienced a powerful foreshock and earthquake in rapid succession. These caused extensive damage and disruption to transportation, infrastructure, and emergency services.

The Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy in Caracas is currently providing emergency services only to U.S. citizens.

• Review the U.S. embassy website for the latest updates.
• Review information about staying safe during and after an earthquake.
• Stay in touch with transportation companies and advice from local authorities.

U.S. embassy operations

In March 2026, the U.S. Embassy in Caracas resumed operations, including the provision of limited consular services for U.S. citizens in Venezuela.

• The Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy in Caracas is currently providing emergency American Citizens Services only.
• The U.S. Embassy in Caracas can only provide limited emergency services to U.S. citizens outside of Caracas.
• Visa services in Venezuela remain suspended. Visa services are provided through the U.S. Embassy in Bogota, Colombia.

Crime and kidnapping

Conditions in some parts of Venezuela remain dangerous. Violent crimes such as homicide, armed robbery, and kidnapping occur.

• Travelers face increased risk using unregulated taxis from Maiquetia Simon Bolivar International Airport serving Caracas. Security risks are also present when using ATMs near the airport.
• Nighttime travel between cities is risky.
• U.S. government employees working in Venezuela are not allowed to use public transportation due to safety risks.
• Irregular armed groups can carry out acts of violence against citizens without warning. There are no reliable crime statistics.

Terrorism

There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Venezuela. Visit the U.S. Department of State’s Country Reports on Terrorism  to learn more.

• The Foreign Terrorist Organizations Tren de Aragua and Cartel de Los Soles started in Venezuela and continue to operate.
• Terrorist groups operate in Venezuela’s border areas with Colombia, Brazil, and Guyana.

Health Infrastructure

Venezuela’s healthcare system is in a state of severe crisis.

• There are critical shortages of medicines, broken equipment, and crumbling infrastructure in rural areas and in some neighborhoods.
• Public hospitals in remote areas frequently lack running water and electricity.
• There are shortages of medical staff. These issues have led to high mortality rates.
• The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends medicine to prevent malaria. Other mosquito-borne diseases (including chikungunya, zika, dengue, oropouche, and yellow fever), are common.
• Contaminated water is a source of significant gastrointestinal infection in Venezuela.

If going outside cities, travelers should consider a health check before traveling to Venezuela to minimize the need for medical care.

Risks in specific areas

Level 4 – Do not travel 

Venezuela-Colombia border region 

Do not travel to the Venezuela-Colombia border region (20 miles from the border) due to the risk of crime, kidnapping, and terrorism.

• Due to the risks, U.S. government employees working in Venezuela are prohibited from traveling to this region.
• Terrorist groups and criminal groups operate in the border region.
• Do not travel here for any reason.

Amazonas state 

Do not travel to the Amazonas state due to the risk of terrorism.

• Due to the risks, U.S. government employees working in Venezuela are prohibited from traveling to this region.
• Terrorist groups operate in Amazonas state.
• Do not travel here for any reason.

Apure state 

Do not travel to the Apure state due to risk of terrorism.

• Due to the risks, U.S. government employees working in Venezuela are prohibited from traveling to this region.
• Terrorist groups and criminal groups operate in Apure state.
• Do not travel here for any reason.

Aragua state outside of Maracay 

Do not travel to the Aragua state outside of Maracay due to the risk of crime and kidnapping.

• Due to the risks, U.S. government employees working in Venezuela are prohibited from traveling to this region.
• Criminal groups operate in Aragua state.
• Do not travel here for any reason.

Bolívar state rural areas 

Do not travel to rural areas of the Bolívar state due to the risk of crime and kidnapping.

• Due to the risks, U.S. government employees working in Venezuela are prohibited from traveling to this region.
• Criminal groups operate in the rural areas of the Bolívar state.
• Do not travel here for any reason.

Guárico state 

Do not travel to the Guárico state due to the risk crime and kidnapping.

• Due to the risks, U.S. government employees working in Venezuela are prohibited from traveling to this region.
• Criminal groups operate in Guárico state.
• Do not travel here for any reason.

Táchira state 

Do not travel to the Táchira state due to the risk of crime and terrorism.

• Due to the risks, U.S. government employees working in Venezuela are prohibited from traveling to this region.
• Terrorist groups and criminal groups operate in Táchira state.
• Do not travel here for any reason.

If you decide to travel to Venezuela:

• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to get important updates and alerts from the U.S. government. Enrolling helps the U.S. government contact you or your emergency contact in an emergency.
• Review the Country Security Report  for Venezuela.
• The U.S. government is extremely limited in its ability to offer emergency services to U.S. citizens, especially outside Caracas, due to its limited presence and the safety risks.
• A visa is required to enter Venezuela. Visas are not available on arrival. Travelers risk detention for entering without a valid Venezuelan visa.
• The U.S. government cannot help U.S. citizens in Venezuela replace lost or expired Venezuelan travel documents or get Venezuelan entry or exit stamps.
• If you are a business traveler, you should consult with your company’s security department on ways to stay safe. This may include hiring a professional security organization.
• Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
• Do not display signs of wealth, like expensive watches or jewelry.
• Develop a communication plan with family, your employer, or host organization. This helps them monitor your safety and location as you travel through high-risk areas. Specify how you will confirm you are safe (text, calls, etc.), how often, and who you will contact first to share the information.
• Establish a proof-of-life protocol with your loved ones. If you are taken hostage, your loved ones will know specific questions (and answers) to ask the hostage-takers to confirm that you are being held captive and alive.
• Review our information on Travel to High Risk Areas , U.S. Citizens Missing Abroad , Crime Abroad , Terrorism , and for Victims of Crime .
• Make sure your insurance includes medical evacuation coverage.
• Check with your healthcare provider about required vaccines for high-risk exposure before you go to Venezuela. Review the Health section in the Travel Guidance for Venezuela.
• Bring enough supplies of over the counter and prescription medicines to cover the duration of the trip.
• Have a plan to depart in an emergency that does not depend on U.S. government help. Review our information on Crisis and Evacuations. 
• Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the latest Travel Health Information  for Venezuela.
• Whether you are a first time or frequent traveler, use the International Travel Checklist .
• We highly recommend that you buy travel insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider  about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancelation coverage.