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US Urges Citizens to Flee Venezuela Immediately Amid Security Crisis

The US State Department has issued an urgent warning for all American citizens in Venezuela to depart the country immediately due to a severe and fluid security situation. The advisory cites risks from armed militias, kidnapping, terrorism, and arbitrary detention under the current Level 4 "Do Not Travel" classification. This comes after recent US military action targeting Venezuelan leadership, which drew international condemnation. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has indicated that diplomatic engagement with current Venezuelan authorities is likely in the near future.

Key Points: US Issues 'Leave Immediately' Warning for Venezuela

  • Level 4 'Do Not Travel' advisory
  • Armed militias setting up roadblocks
  • Risks of kidnapping and wrongful detention
  • US military action against Maduro
  • Trump signals diplomatic talks
2 min read

US urges Americans to leave Venezuela 'immediately' due to risks

The US State Department warns Americans to leave Venezuela due to armed militias, kidnappings, and severe security risks. Level 4 travel advisory in effect.

"US citizens in Venezuela should leave the country immediately. - US Bureau of Consular Affairs"

Washington, Jan 11

The US Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs on Saturday warned that as international flights have resumed, US citizens in Venezuela "should leave the country immediately."

The bureau said in a post on X that the security situation in Venezuela "remains fluid" and there are "reports of groups of armed militias, known as colectivos, setting up roadblocks and searching vehicles for evidence of US citizenship or support for the United States."

US citizens are advised to "remain vigilant and exercise caution" when traveling by road and to monitor airlines' communications and websites for updated information, Xinhua news agency reported.

"Venezuela has the highest Travel Advisory level -- Level 4: Do Not Travel -- due to severe risks to Americans, including wrongful detention, torture in detention, terrorism, kidnapping, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, crime, civil unrest, and poor health infrastructure," the bureau said.

The United States launched a large-scale military operation against Venezuela in the early hours of January 3, taking by force Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. The strikes have drawn worldwide condemnation and concern.

Meanwhile, earlier on Friday President Donald Trump said that he expects to meet representatives of Venezuela's current leadership soon, signaling a possible diplomatic engagement following recent US actions and a shift in relations between the two countries.

Speaking to reporters, Trump said discussions with Venezuelan figures were likely in the near term, though no formal date had been set.

"I will be meeting with various representatives of Venezuela, probably pretty soon," Trump said.

He said the relationship between Washington and those currently running Venezuela had improved significantly.

"The relationship that we have with the people that are currently running Venezuela is very good," Trump said.

Trump said the United States was dealing directly with Venezuelan authorities in a way that avoided further escalation.

"We're dealing with the people from Venezuela," he said. "We're dealing with them very well."

He suggested that recent US military action and pressure had created leverage that prevented further conflict.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Level 4 travel advisory is no joke. Sounds worse than some conflict zones. US citizens should definitely heed the warning and get out. Safety first always.
A
Arjun K
The shift from military action to "very good" relations and possible talks is confusing. It shows how unstable foreign policy can be. Makes you wonder what the real long-term plan is.
S
Sarah B
Searching vehicles for evidence of US citizenship? That's terrifying. It's a direct result of the hostility created. The citizens are paying the price for geopolitical games.
V
Vikram M
From an Indian perspective, we've seen how internal instability hurts the common man the most. Hope the situation de-escalates and diplomacy wins. No country should interfere in another's sovereignty, full stop.
K
Karthik V
The article mentions "worldwide condemnation". That says it all. Unilateral actions rarely lead to peace. The US should work with international bodies, not go it alone.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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