The United States government has issued an urgent security alert calling on American citizens and lawful permanent residents in Venezuela to depart the country “immediately”, as the political and security situation there continues to deteriorate following a dramatic military and political crisis.
In its advisory released on January 10, 2026, the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs emphasised that the security situation in Venezuela “remains fluid” and underscored long-standing concerns about the safety of U.S. nationals in the South American nation.
“As international flights have resumed, U.S. citizens in Venezuela should leave the country immediately,” the statement, shared on the government’s official communication channels, said. “Remain vigilant and exercise caution when travelling by road.”
A key component of the warning involves reports that armed militia groups, locally known as colectivos, are actively operating in parts of Venezuela, setting up roadblocks and searching vehicles for evidence of U.S. citizenship or perceived support for the United States.
The U.S. Department of State also reiterated that all routine and emergency consular services remain suspended in Venezuela, and that the U.S. government is currently unable to provide emergency assistance to Americans in the country.
Venezuela continues to carry the highest travel advisory level, Level 4: Do Not Travel, due to what the U.S. government described as “severe risks to Americans, including wrongful detention, torture in detention, terrorism, kidnapping, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, crime, civil unrest, and poor health infrastructure.”
The alert comes amid ongoing instability in Venezuela’s political landscape, where recent events, including a military operation that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, have significantly heightened tensions and uncertainty inside the country.
Although international flights have begun to resume, the advisory stressed that commercial airline departures may be limited and urged U.S. citizens to check flight schedules and prepare for departure as soon as safety permits.
In addition to urging citizens to depart, the U.S. advisory included several recommended precautions.
“Do not travel to Venezuela under any circumstances. Those already in the country should take precautions for their safety and monitor airline communications closely for departure options. U.S. citizens who choose to remain should prepare emergency contingency plans, given that government support is limited.”
The alert reflects growing concerns about the capacity of local authorities to maintain security for foreign nationals, particularly in a climate of heightened militia activity and weakened governmental control in some regions.
