Americans told not to go near Guyana-Venezuela border, leave Venezuela immediately

Last Updated on Tuesday, 27 May 2025, 20:02 by Writer

The United States (US) government warned Americans against travelling to Venezuela for any reason and not to go near the Guyana-Venezuela border and advised those in that South American nation to leave immediately.

“Venezuelan borders with Colombia, Brazil, and Guyana are not clearly marked in many locations. Do not go near the border due to the risk of crossing into Venezuela accidentally and being detained,” the U.S. embassies’ websites for Guyana and Venezuela said on Tuesday.

“The U.S. Department of State recommended that all U.S. citizens in Venezuela leave immediately,” the U.S. said.

The U.S. government said Venezuela has the highest travel advisory level – Level 4: Do Not Travel – due to severe risks to Americans including wrongful detention, torture in detention, terrorism, kidnapping, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, crime, civil unrest, and poor health infrastructure.

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.

U.S. citizens in Venezuela should depart immediately, the diplomatic missions said.

“U.S. citizens are at extreme risk of detention when entering Venezuela at any location. They may be unjustly charged with terrorism or other serious crimes and detained for long periods.

The U.S. government said its citizens have been detained upon arrival at land borders, airports, and maritime ports of entry.

“There is no safe way for Americans to travel to Venezuela.”

There is no U.S. embassy or consulate operating in Venezuela and the U.S. government cannot provide routine or emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in Venezuela.

“Venezuelan authorities do not inform the U.S. government of the detention of U.S. citizens and the U.S. government is not able to visit those citizens. Venezuelan authorities do not allow detained U.S. citizens to contact family members or private attorneys,” the embassies said.