Venezuela – Level 3: Reconsider Travel Advisory Issued May 18, 2026

Reconsider travel

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

U.S. embassy operations

In March 2026, the U.S. Department of State announced the resumption of operations at the U.S. Embassy in Caracas after 7 years of suspended operations. Consular services provided by the U.S. Embassy in Venezuela remain limited at this time. Most consular services are still provided through the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá, Colombia. 

• Routine consular services remain suspended in Venezuela. 
• The U.S. embassy can only provide limited emergency services to U.S. citizens outside of Caracas.
• Routine consular services are still provided through the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá, 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 Maiquetía Simón Bolívar International Airport serving Caracas. Security risks are also present when using ATMs near the airport.
• Nighttime travel between cities is risky.
• 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.

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
• Bolivar state rural areas due to the risk of crime and kidnapping
• Guarico state due to the risk crime and kidnapping
• Tachira state due to the risk of crime and terrorism

Source: https://travel.state.gov/content/tsg_aem/us/en/home/international-travel/travel-advisories/destination.ven.html
Originally Published: May 18, 2026