Is it safe to travel to the Caribbean right now? Everything you need to know, according to the US State Department
The US State Department advises all US citizens and permanent residents to leave the country and not to travel to Venezuela “for any reason.”
Conditions in Venezuela have come under renewed scrutiny following the January 3, 2026, US raid that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a major escalation that has increased uncertainty across the country.
In the days since the strike, airspace restrictions imposed by the US, linked to the operation, have disrupted commercial flights in parts of the Caribbean region, leading to delays, cancellations, and rerouted planes. This has left travelers with fewer options if they need to leave Venezuela quickly.
The US State Department’s travel advisory warns of wrongful detention, kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, terrorism, and extremely poor health infrastructure. The US Embassy in Caracas has been suspended since 2019 and is unable to provide consular or emergency assistance anywhere in the country.
“Security forces have arbitrarily detained US citizens for up to five years without respect for due process,” the US State Department said of conditions in Venezuela. Former detainees have reported torture and inhumane treatment in the country.
The Venezuelan government has responded to reports from international organizations documenting arbitrary detention, inhumane conditions, and torture in the country’s prisons, calling them “interventionist.” The government has called allegations of due process and human rights violations “irresponsible, biased, and deeply polarized,” as reported by CNN.
Violent crime, including homicide, armed robbery, kidnapping, and carjacking, is pervasive in the country, the US State Department said, and criminal gangs and Colombian terrorist groups operate openly and in places frequented by tourists.
Shortages of gasoline, electricity, food, medicine, and medical supplies are widespread, and public hospitals lack basic resources. Even private facilities are strained, and medical evacuation is difficult and expensive.
The agency also advises against using public transport. Traffic jams in Caracas are often exploited by armed motorcycle gangs to rob drivers.
Tap water is often unsafe to drink, even in major cities, and shortages of running water are frequent. Diseases like dengue, Zika, chikungunya, malaria, Chagas disease, measles, travelers’ diarrhea, and other infectious illnesses are prevalent.
Those who decide to disregard the advisory and travel to Venezuela are advised to prepare a will, consider hiring professional security during their stay, and develop communication plans with family in case of kidnapping or detention, the State Department said.
