Citizens of the United States who are in Venezuela have been told to leave, and others have been warned not to travel to the country.
The US Embassy has gone as far as telling them to make preparations for any eventuality including death and that they'll practically be on their own in emergency situations. Alicia Boucher tells us more.
00:00A Level 4 travel advisory from the United States Embassy in Caracas, Venezuela, reissued without edits on December 3rd in bold letters.
00:10A serious warning to U.S. citizens.
00:13Do not travel to or remain in Venezuela due to the high risk of wrongful detention, torture and detention, terrorism, kidnapping, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, crime, civil unrest, and poor health infrastructure.
00:28All U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents in Venezuela are strongly advised to depart immediately.
00:34The U.S. Embassy outlines that there are no consular operations in Venezuela, as these personnel and services were suspended and removed since 2019.
00:45The advisory goes a step further, suggesting that even if citizens or residents are traveling on a Venezuelan or other foreign passports,
00:53they should adhere to the warning and, quote, do not travel to Venezuela for any reason, end quote.
01:00The embassy states that U.S. citizens have been detained in Venezuela for as much as five years without due process,
01:06including not being able to contact family members and not getting access to independent legal counsel.
01:12The advisory alleges that U.S. detainees have been subjected to, quote,
01:17torture and cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment, including severe beatings,
01:23prolonged restraint in stress positions, and waterboarding, end quote.
01:28Apart from violence, which can arise from political clashes,
01:32the U.S. Embassy in Caracas states that crimes like murders, carjackings, armed robbery, and kidnappings are common in Venezuela.
01:40The embassy further cites a shortage of essential supplies like medication, gasoline, and water.
01:47For those who still decide to travel to the country,
01:50the U.S. has advised that they prepare a will, insurance, and other such related documents.
01:55Plan a proof-of-life protocol with loved ones to prevent extortion.
02:00Consider hiring a security company and carry essential supplies like medication.
02:05The U.S. says there is no safe way to travel to Venezuela and the U.S. will not be able to assist those who do
02:12with any consular matters, further outlining, quote,
02:16any contingency plans for travel to or from Venezuela should not rely on U.S. government assistance, end quote.
02:25Level 4 advisories of this nature have been repeatedly issued by the embassy from as far back as 2021,
02:32with preparation of a will being suggested since around 2022.
02:37The unedited reissuance of the December 3rd advisory comes from the May 12th, 2025 Do Not Travel Advisory.
02:46Contacted for comment on the advisory, Venezuelan ambassador to TNT Alvaro Sanchez says, quote,
02:51There is no U.S. embassy to or in Venezuela at all.
02:56That embassy is a fabrication like so many things fabricated by the U.S., end quote.
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