- The U.S. Department of State for Consular Affairs warned that it will not be able to help American residents who are detained in Venezuelan territory | Main photo: courtesy
The United States government recently urged its citizens not to travel to Venezuela, due to the heightened political crisis the country has been facing since the presidential elections on July 28, 2024.
In a statement posted on social media, the U.S. Department of State for Consular Affairs confirmed that Venezuela remains at alert level number 4, with a warning to “do not travel,” and alleged that Americans who do so would be at risk of being victims of arbitrary detention, terrorism, and kidnapping.
US Alert Levels
Level 1: Take normal precautions
Level 2: Use extra caution
Level 3: Rethink the trip
In addition, the US agency warned on September 24, 2024 about the lack of enforcement of laws, crime, civil unrest and inefficient infrastructure regarding public health issues.
“The U.S. government does not have the capacity to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Venezuela. U.S. citizens in Venezuela who require consular assistance should depart the country as soon as possible and should contact a U.S. embassy or consulate in another country,” the statement reads. Web page.
The Department also determined that there is a high risk of unlawful detention of U.S. citizens in Venezuela, following the capture of several Americans in the past five years.
They added that the Venezuelan government generally does not notify the U.S. of the detention of U.S. citizens in Venezuela or allow access to U.S. citizens held there.
This is not the first time that the US has issued such an alert. In March 2019, the same warning was issued after the US Embassy in Caracas ceased operations following the suspension of bilateral relations between the two countries.
Other reasons why the US urges not to travel to Venezuela
The US government said violent crimes such as homicide, armed robbery, kidnapping and car theft are taking place in Venezuela.
“Political rallies and demonstrations occur, often without warning. Police and security forces have instituted a brutal crackdown on anti-Maduro demonstrations, including the use of tear gas, pepper spray and rubber bullets against participants, and sometimes leading to looting and vandalism,” the statement said.
In addition, the US agency considered that citizens put their lives at risk by traveling to Venezuela due to the alleged presence of Colombian terrorist groups.
As well as the difficulty in getting around due to the shortage of gasoline, the constant failure of electricity, water rationing and the lack of medical supplies.
Seven foreigners detained in Venezuela
On September 17, the Minister of the Interior, Justice and Peace, Diosdado Cabello, counted seven foreigners arrested – two Spaniards, four Americans and one Czech – for alleged “plans against Venezuela.”
“This is not the first time he has come to Venezuela,” stressed Cabello, who reiterated his claim that the National Intelligence Centre (CNI) of Spain and the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States (CIA) are behind these plans to attack the life of Nicolás Maduro and other high-ranking officials.
Both countries have demanded that the Venezuelan government provide more information on the status of the detainees, in addition to requesting their extradition to their country of origin.
US warns about travel to Venezuela
Other warnings that the US government reiterates regarding Venezuela are:
-Avoid traveling to Venezuela by any means, including land border crossings.
-Night trips between cities or between Simón Bolívar International Airport and Caracas are unsafe.
-Entering or attempting to enter Venezuela without a valid Venezuelan visa may lead to indefinite detention without consular access.
– Visas are not available upon entry. U.S. citizens in Venezuela face a high risk of indefinite detention without consular access.
-U.S. citizens in Venezuela must draft a will and designate appropriate insurance beneficiaries and/or powers of attorney.
-Contingency plans for U.S. citizens to travel to Venezuela should not depend on assistance from the U.S. government.
-The U.S. government cannot assist U.S. citizens in Venezuela in replacing lost or expired travel documents.
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2024-09-26 01:41:58
