The U.S. Department of State is telling U.S. citizens not to travel to Venezuela, issuing a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory. Meanwhile, thousands of Venezuelan migrants have been seen reversing course from their voyage through Central America to immigrate to the U.S.
“Today, the State Department issued a security alert warning Americans against travel to Venezuela and bordering areas for any reason,” Tammy Bruce, spokesperson for the State Department, said during a news briefing.
Americans detained without cause
The agency said there are more Americans detained in Venezuela than anywhere else in the world. It warns that U.S. citizens there face a high risk of being wrongfully detained without due process, citing torture, terrorism, kidnapping, unfair law enforcement practices, violent crime, civil unrest and inadequate health care.
Venezuelan authorities have imprisoned U.S. citizens for extended periods of time, up to five years. In many cases, these individuals were detained primarily because they are American rather than for any criminal activity, according to the State Department.
No U.S. consulate in Venezuela
The U.S. government does not currently operate an embassy or consulate in Venezuela. As a result, it cannot provide consular services, such as assisting with legal issues, replacing lost passports or arranging medical care or evacuation for U.S. citizens in the South American country, even in emergencies.
Venezuelan authorities don’t have to inform the U.S. government if they detain or arrest a U.S. citizen. Even if the U.S. government learns that a citizen has been detained, Venezuelan authorities do not allow U.S. diplomats or officials to visit the person, check on their welfare or offer help. People detained in Venezuela, including Americans, often cannot contact their families or lawyers, which increases the risk of abuse or unfair treatment.
Family travel still not safe
Even if you’re planning to travel to Venezuela for family-related reasons, the State Department warns it’s still dangerous. Americans could be arrested and left without help, and there’s little the U.S. government can do to assist.
“Dual citizenship, a Venezuelan visa, past travel to Venezuela, or a job in Venezuela does not protect U.S. national travelers. Every American is at risk of being detained by Maduro’s regime,” the State Department says.
Venezuela issues its own travel alert
Meanwhile, Venezuelan citizens are also being advised against traveling to the United States. The country issued a travel alert and urged its citizens who are currently residing in the U.S. to consider leaving.
“Venezuelans in the United States are victims of a systematic pattern of abuses of their human rights, being arbitrarily detained, separated from their families and transported to concentration camps in third countries,” Venezuela’s foreign minister Yván Gil said on Telegram.
Venezuelans self-deporting
Some Venezuelan migrants living in the United States or en route to the country have been self-deporting back to their home country. According to The New York Times, Panamanian officials say 10,000 people—nearly all from Venezuela—have traveled by boat from Panama to Colombia, which borders Venezuela, since January.
Earlier this month, the Department of Homeland Security announced it would give a $1,000 stipend to migrants living in the U.S. illegally who self-deport using the CBP One app.
