Escalating tensions lead to reciprocal travel advisories from the US and Venezuela
United States and Venezuela Issue Travel Warnings Amidst Escalating Diplomatic Tensions
In a dramatic escalation of diplomatic relations, the United States and Venezuela have issued mutual travel advisories, urging their citizens to reconsider traveling to each other's countries. The US has raised concerns over the increasing risk of American citizens being wrongfully detained, while Venezuela has accused Washington of human rights violations against its citizens.
The US State Department has issued its most severe travel advisory for Venezuela, designated as Level 4: Do Not Travel. The warning emphasizes the escalating danger facing US citizens, stating that they face a significant and growing risk of unjust detention in Venezuela. The US embassy and consular representation in Caracas have been closed since 2019, leaving American citizens without official assistance.
The advisory highlights a variety of perils, including the risk of wrongful detention, torture, terrorism, kidnapping, unfair law enforcement practices, violent crime, civil unrest, and inadequate healthcare. American detainees in Venezuela often find themselves denied access to family members or legal counsel, with many cases remaining undisclosed due to the absence of diplomatic presence, thereby preventing the provision of any legal or medical aid.
It is worth noting that some Americans have been detained in Venezuela for up to five years without due process and under harsh conditions. The State Department stated that there are presently more US citizens detained in Venezuela than in any other country, but did not provide any specific figures.
In May, one American held in Venezuela was released, while others were freed in January. American travelers are also alerted to the fact that having family in Venezuela, a visa, a job, or previous travel to the country does not shield them from potential arrest.
The advisory concludes emphatically, urging US citizens to 'Do not travel to Venezuela for any reason' and advising those already in the country to depart immediately. Moreover, travelers in neighboring countries are cautioned to avoid Venezuela's borders with Colombia, Brazil, and Guyana.
For those considering travel, the Department's official guidelines recommend preparing a will and setting up emergency communication plans with family, including kidnapping contingencies. A previous travel advisory issued on May 12 warned of the prevalence of violent crimes in Venezuela and denounced the brutal crackdowns by 'police and security forces on pro-democracy or anti-regime demonstrations.'
In response, Venezuela has issued its own travel warning, with Foreign Minister Yvan Gil asserting that Venezuelans in the US are subject to a systematic pattern of human rights abuses, including arbitrary detention, family separation, and transportation to third-country concentration camps. He urged Venezuelan citizens living in the US to depart the country.
Venezuela has also condemned US President Donald Trump's use of a 1798 law to deport hundreds of migrants directly to El Salvador's most notorious prison. While the US Supreme Court recently upheld a block on the use of that law, it was ruled that the administration had failed to provide adequate legal procedures.
Eco-activists might reconsider traveling to Venezuela due to the escalating political tensions and the increased risk of wrongful detention for foreigners. The general news regarding the US-Venezuela diplomatic crisis also includes accusations of human rights violations against American citizens by the Venezuelan government, as well as similar allegations against the US government by Venezuela.
