The U.S. Embassies in Colombia, Guyana, Brazil, Aruba and the Venezuelan Affairs Unit released a Security Alert warning U.S. citizens of the significant risks associated with traveling to Venezuela. The State Department reissued its Level 4: Do Not Travel Advisory for Venezuela, found on travel.state.gov.

Additional points attributable on background to a State Department spokesperson:

• There is no safe way for Americans to travel to Venezuela. U.S. citizens, dual nationals, and Lawful Permanent Residents should avoid travel to Venezuela at all costs. No trip is worth the price of freedom.
• Americans who travel to Venezuela or nearby border regions risk being wrongfully detained in prison for months or even years. 
• The Travel Advisory discourages travel to Venezuela via any means, including via land border crossings.  In some cases, even close proximity to the border has resulted in detention in Venezuela. 
• Per the attached Security Alert: More U.S. nationals are currently wrongfully detained in Venezuela than in any other country. Other foreign nationals in Venezuela are also frequently unjustly detained in prison. U.S. citizens in Venezuela should depart immediately.
• Americans often travel to Venezuela with or to see loved ones or partners’ families; they face the same risks as other travelers. Family members and partners of U.S. nationals are often detained alongside the American traveler. Visiting Venezuela puts other people at risk.
• Dual citizenship, a Venezuelan visa, past travel to Venezuela, or a job in Venezuela do not protect U.S. national travelers. Every American is at risk of being wrongfully detained in Venezuela.