last updated: 3 October, 2026
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Venezuela carries a Composite Risk Level 3: Reconsider Travel. The level reflects the US State Department and UK FCDO advisories. The US State Department rates the country Level 3, citing crime, kidnapping, terrorism and poor health infrastructure, and notes that some areas carry increased risk. The UK FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the remaining areas of Venezuela, and against all travel to a number of regions. France Diplomatie lists the country at normal vigilance and Germany’s Auswärtiges Amt has no general travel warning, but both apply formal or partial warnings to parts of the country. Many organisations limit travel here to essential or mission-critical trips.
The security picture
The US advisory notes that the situation is improving, but conditions in some parts of Venezuela remain dangerous. Violent crimes such as homicide, armed robbery and kidnapping occur. Travellers face increased risk using unregulated taxis from Maiquetía Simón Bolívar International Airport serving Caracas, and security risks are also present when using ATMs near the airport. The identified threat categories are terrorism, kidnapping and hostage-taking, crime, border security, and transport and road safety.
The US advises against all travel to the Venezuela-Colombia border region (20 miles from the border), Amazonas state, Apure state, Aragua state outside of Maracay, rural areas of Bolívar state, Guárico state and Táchira state. The UK FCDO advises against all travel within 80km of the border with Colombia, within 40km of the border with Brazil and within 40km of the border with Guyana. It also advises against all travel to the Orinoco Mining Arc region in Bolívar, to the area south of the Orinoco river in Delta Amacuro, and to Zulia state.
There is also a significant risk of civil unrest, protests and political instability. Travellers should avoid large gatherings, government buildings and protest areas, and monitor local media continuously. Heightened personal security measures are typically advisable: avoid displaying wealth, vary routes and maintain a low profile. Some organisations also consider close protection for ground transport.
On 24 June, Venezuela suffered two earthquakes of 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude, causing significant damage in La Guaira, parts of Caracas and elsewhere. A significant humanitarian response is currently taking place.
Travelling to Venezuela?
Download the free ISO 31030-aligned Venezuela risk report on the Sicuro Live Travel Risk Map, updated every 30 minutes from US State Department, UK FCDO, GDACS and WHO sources.
Health and medical risks
There were no active WHO disease outbreak alerts at the time of report generation, and no active GDACS disaster alerts. Travellers should consult a travel health specialist at least 4–6 weeks before departure, review vaccination requirements, prophylaxis needs and destination-specific health risks, and carry sufficient personal medication with prescriptions. Medical facilities may be limited or below Western standards. Confirm medical evacuation coverage, and identify the nearest adequate hospital and international clinic before travel.
The insurance, legal and consular layer
Standard travel insurance usually voids at this risk level. The UK FCDO warns that travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against its advice. Travellers should confirm in writing that the destination is covered, that medical evacuation and security evacuation are included, and that trip cancellation for advisory changes is covered.
Consular support is limited. In January 2026, the US State Department began a phased approach to resuming embassy operations in Venezuela. Until the US Embassy in Caracas resumes operations, the Venezuela Affairs Unit in Embassy Bogotá serves as the remote mission. Routine consular services remain suspended, the Venezuela Affairs Unit cannot provide emergency services to US citizens outside of Caracas, and most consular services are still provided through the US Embassy in Bogotá, Colombia. The UK FCDO advises British nationals to keep a personal emergency plan, including practical steps for leaving the country or staying safe during a crisis, that does not depend on support from the UK government.
Medical facilities may be limited or below Western standards, so travellers should confirm medical evacuation coverage and identify the nearest adequate hospital and international clinic before travel. Organisations should also check compliance with local visa and work permit requirements, data protection regulations, export control restrictions, anti-bribery and corruption laws (UK Bribery Act / US FCPA) and sanctions regimes. Local laws may differ significantly from those at home, including on photography, social media use, alcohol, dress codes, LGBTQ+ rights and controlled substances. Some medications legal at home may be prohibited.
By traveller type
Organisations sending staff to Venezuela should treat the trip as essential or mission-critical. They should confirm senior-management approval in writing, arrange an enhanced security briefing and a medical evacuation plan, engage a security provider, and verify that insurance explicitly covers this destination. Travellers should have a check-in protocol, a safe haven or rally point at the destination, and a communication plan for degraded comms environments.
American travellers should note that routine consular services are suspended, that emergency services cannot be provided outside of Caracas, and that US government employees need special authorisation to travel to Venezuela and further authorisation to travel outside Caracas. British travellers should note that travel insurance could be invalidated if they travel against FCDO advice, and should have a personal emergency plan that does not depend on UK government support. For everyone, the controlling factors are crime and kidnapping, the areas under “do not travel” warnings, limited health infrastructure and limited consular support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Venezuela is rated Composite Risk Level 3: Reconsider Travel. Conditions are improving, but violent crime, kidnapping and terrorism risks remain, and many organisations limit travel to essential or mission-critical trips.
The US advises against travel to the Colombia border region, Amazonas, Apure, Aragua outside of Maiquetía, rural Bolívar, Guárico and Táchira. The UK FCDO advises against all travel to the border areas with Colombia, Brazil and Guyana, the Orinoco Mining Arc, southern Delta Amacuro and Zulia state.
Standard travel insurance usually voids at this risk level, and travelling against FCDO advice could invalidate a policy. Confirm in writing that the destination, medical evacuation and security evacuation are covered.
Routine consular services remain suspended, the Venezuela Affairs Unit cannot provide emergency services outside of Caracas, and most consular services are provided through the US Embassy in Bogotá, Colombia.
Heightened personal security measures are typically advisable, and some organisations also consider close protection for ground transport. Sicuro provides armoured transport, close protection officers, vetted drivers, secure accommodation, journey management and 24/7 crisis response in Venezuela.
Sicuro Group supports clients with exposure to Venezuela and the wider region with intelligence and political risk assessment, pre-travel and pre-decision briefings, traveller tracking with 24/7 GSOC monitoring, detention and exit response planning, high-risk travel insurance for the trips and territories standard policies carve out, and SicuroResponse crisis membership with a pre-authorised credit line.
Check the live Venezuela risk level, talk to a Sicuro advisor, or call the 24/7 line on +971 4 362 6378.