The US State Department Reissues Severe Travel Advisory for Venezuela

The US State Department has reissued a stark travel advisory urging Americans to avoid all travel to Venezuela, a country in South America bordered by the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, citing an escalating array of dangers. The advisory, updated in 2025, goes beyond typical cautions, uniquely advising travelers to prepare a will, designate insurance beneficiaries, and establish powers of attorney prior to travel, highlighting the grave risks involved.

This heightened alert comes amidst growing diplomatic tensions between the US and Venezuela, compounded by economic sanctions and the absence of a functioning US embassy in Caracas since March 2019, which has left Americans residing in or visiting Venezuela without official consular support or evacuation options.

Venezuela has been in a prolonged state of political and economic crisis, with widespread shortages, civil unrest, and deteriorating public services, including healthcare infrastructure. The diplomatic relationship between the US and Venezuela has been strained for years, worsened in recent months by sanctions imposed by the US Treasury Department.

The US has not maintained a diplomatic presence in Venezuela since the closure of its embassy in 2019, significantly complicating assistance for American citizens there.

The updated travel advisory explicitly states:

The lack of a US diplomatic mission means there is no consular support for Americans in Venezuela, no possibility of standard visa processing, nor typical evacuation options in case of emergency. The US Department of State encourages citizens to register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive safety updates but warns that consular services are limited.

Travelers are also reminded of the risk of arbitrary detention and the need for heightened vigilance and contingency planning.

The Venezuela advisory update is part of a broader review of travel warnings issued by the US government in May 2025. For example:

The closure of the US embassy in Caracas and the lack of diplomatic channels hinder dialogue and complicate consular protection efforts, creating significant challenges for US citizens in the country.

Experts urge US citizens to consider the following precautions:

Citizens planning travel or currently residing in Venezuela can consult these authoritative government sources for guidance:

For those with plans to travel to Venezuela or who currently reside there, vigilance, thorough preparation, and close attention to official updates are essential to personal safety and security.