The United States has issued an urgent and unprecedented travel advisory urging Americans to leave Venezuela immediately after reports emerged that armed militia groups, locally known as colectivos, are establishing roadblocks and checking vehicles for evidence of U.S. citizenship or support for the United States. This high-risk security situation has prompted the State Department to elevate its travel warning and call on U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to depart Venezuela without delay.
With the country’s travel advisory at the highest level — Level 4: Do Not Travel — the U.S. government warns that the safety of its citizens cannot be guaranteed under current conditions. The situation on the ground remains volatile, and U.S. embassy services inside Venezuela are unavailable, leaving many Americans with limited official support.
Leave Venezuela: Escalating Security Risks and Why Citizens Must Act Now
The most recent advisory from the U.S. Department of State underscores a severe and deteriorating security environment in Venezuela. According to official guidance, armed militias known as colectivos have been reported setting up checkpoints and stopping vehicles on major roads to search for Americans or signs of political support for the U.S. government. This harrowing development has intensified fears among both foreign nationals and local residents alike.
These roadblocks pose more than a logistical hurdle — they carry serious safety implications. U.S. officials and embassy personnel have made clear that these tactics heighten the risk of arbitrary detention, conflict, and violent confrontation with armed groups. Coupled with Venezuela’s ongoing economic challenges, intermittent utility outages, and deteriorating public services, the country’s environment is now considered extremely unpredictable for outsiders.
What the US Government Is Advising US Citizens in Venezuela
In its advisory, the U.S. Department of State has laid out specific recommendations for Americans currently in Venezuela:
- Depart the country immediately by any safe means available, recognizing that airline seats may be limited due to the sudden demand.
- Avoid road travel whenever possible, as militias have been reportedly stopping vehicles to check documentation and question occupants.
- Remain vigilant and aware of your surroundings at all times, including while at airports or public spaces.
- Establish multiple methods of communication with friends and family outside of Venezuela to report movements and safety.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive official updates and alerts as the situation evolves.
It’s important to note that routine and emergency consular services inside Venezuela have been suspended since March 2019. This means U.S. diplomatic staff are not present in Caracas, and citizens in need of assistance must instead contact the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá, Colombia, or the U.S. State Department directly.
What Led to This Crisis
While this travel advisory is unfolding now, it comes on the heels of broader geopolitical tensions that have gripped the region throughout 2025 and into early 2026. In early January, U.S. forces carried out a military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the arrest and extradition of President Nicolás Maduro to face federal charges in the United States — a move that dramatically escalated tensions and provoked reactions both domestically within Venezuela and internationally.
Following his capture, the Venezuelan Supreme Court appointed Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as acting president, though the political landscape remains deeply fractured. Armed groups loyal to the previous regime and competing political factions have intensified their presence in cities like Caracas, adding to the uncertainty and fear among civilians and foreign nationals alike.
This backdrop of political upheaval has significantly contributed to the current level of risk, influencing militia behavior and amplifying the dangers associated with travel or prolonged stays in Venezuelan territory. The situation has rapidly evolved from diplomatic tension to a precarious security emergency, catching many by surprise and prompting one of the strongest travel warnings ever issued by the U.S. State Department for any country in the Western Hemisphere.
Armed Militias (Colectivos): Who They Are and Why They Matter
The armed groups identified in the advisory — commonly referred to as colectivos — are not a formal part of Venezuela’s national military or police forces. Instead, these are loosely affiliated militia units that have historically acted in support of the Venezuelan government but often operate independently. They are armed, organized, and influential in various urban and rural communities, sometimes wielding significant local power.
Over the years, colectivos have been associated with both community programs and controversial enforcement actions, acting as de facto security actors in areas with limited formal law enforcement. However, the current reports suggest that their activities have shifted toward actively targeting foreigners, particularly Americans, in the aftermath of political upheaval. This shift has alarmed experts and official sources, leading to the extraordinary advisory urging departure.
In this context, roadblocks set up by colectivos pose not just a travel disruption but a direct threat to safety and freedom of movement. Their unpredictable behavior and lack of accountability make encounters potentially dangerous, especially for people perceived as politically or socially aligned with foreign powers.
What Americans in Venezuela Are Facing
For Americans living or traveling in Venezuela when this advisory was issued, the situation has become intensely personal and stressful. Many U.S. citizens find themselves trying to secure limited flights out, coordinating safe passage with family abroad, and navigating a landscape where reliable information and support are hard to come by.
There are reports of intermittent fuel shortages, power outages, and limited access to medical care in parts of the country, all of which add to the complexity of evacuating safely. U.S. authorities have explicitly warned that emergency services typically provided by embassies — such as evacuation assistance or legal support — are currently unavailable inside Venezuela.
This uncertain and evolving scenario underscores how quickly a travel advisory can shift from a general caution to an urgent call for departure, transforming ordinary travel plans into critical survival decisions. For Americans still in Venezuela, the message from the U.S. government is clear: leave now if it is safe to do so. TG
Prioritize Safety and Stay Informed
The situation in Venezuela has reached a level of instability that the U.S. government has determined warrants immediate evacuation for its citizens. With armed militias setting up roadblocks and reportedly searching vehicles for evidence of U.S. ties, combined with ongoing political tension and service disruptions, those in the country face substantial risks.
If you are an American in Venezuela, your safety should be your top priority — consider departure at the earliest opportunity and stay alert to travel updates. This advisory represents not only a travel warning but a critical call for action. The risks to life, liberty, and well-being are serious and evolving.
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