The US State Department demanded that its citizens leave Venezuela.

The United States Department of State reissued its most severe warning for Venezuela last Wednesday, keeping the country at Level 4: "Do Not Travel," and urged all U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents still in Venezuelan territory to leave immediately. The advisory states that Americans "should not travel to Venezuela for any reason" due to a set of risks that make the country a highly dangerous destination. The official statement details threats such as arbitrary detentions, torture, kidnappings, terrorism, irregular law enforcement, violent crime, protests that may lead to clashes, and a severely deteriorated healthcare system. According to the Department of State, Venezuelan security forces have held U.S. citizens detained for up to five years without due process and without allowing consular access, practices also reported by human rights organizations.

The reissuance of the advisory coincides with a rise in pressure measures by the Trump administration against the Nicolás Maduro regime and criminal organizations operating in the region. In recent days, Trump announced the closure of the airspace over Venezuela, a statement released on Truth Social in which he urged airlines and pilots to completely avoid the area. The warning followed a NOTAM from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which alerted about a "potentially dangerous situation" due to increased military activity in or around the country, a risk that could affect aircraft at any altitude.

The travel alert also refers to the internal climate of insecurity and political volatility. The Department of State notes that anti-government protests have been suppressed with tear gas, pepper spray, and rubber bullets and that these events sometimes end in looting and property damage. Additionally, it warns that Colombian terrorist groups operate in border areas with Colombia, Brazil, and Guyana, which worsens insecurity in those regions. The report also highlights the persistence of failures in essential services, including electricity, water, fuel, medicines, and medical supplies. According to the Department of State, these shortages, combined with the lack of adequate health infrastructure, increase the risks for travelers and residents.

Difficulties for consular protection remain a critical factor. The United States withdrew its diplomatic staff from Caracas in March 2019, suspending all consular services, both routine and emergency. With no presence in the country, Washington warns that it can't assist U.S. citizens in the event of detention, accident, or crisis. Despite these warnings, the Department of State notes that those who choose to remain in or travel to Venezuela should develop contingency plans, ensure they have all necessary medications, and enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive updates and allow the U.S. government to maintain communication in case of emergency. The warning concludes by stating that "there is no safe way to travel to Venezuela", reiterating that even crossing a few meters (a few feet) by land into the country can result in arbitrary detention.