In order to avoid risks and crime arrest, the United States has on Tuesday warned its citizens to avoid traveling to crisis-torn Venezuela, citing the US embassy’s limited ability to help.
“Do not travel to Venezuela due to crime, civil unrest, poor health infrastructure and arbitrary arrest and detention of US citizens,” US Department said in an updated travel advisory.
And also, “There are shortages of food, electricity, water, medicine and medical supplies throughout much of Venezuela,” it said.
Venezuela becomes the only country in the Western Hemisphere to be smacked with the State Department’s “Level 4” cautioning against all travel, joining war zones such as Syria and Yemen. Americans, however, are not legally prohibited from going.
Earlier, The State Department listed Venezuela as Level 3, meaning that Americans should reconsider visits.
While the new travel advisory distresses the security of US citizens, it follows as the United States is pressing leftist President Nicolas Maduro to step down faced with Venezuela’s economic collapse and mounting street protests.
The United States has recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as the interim president.
Washington has refused Maduro’s orders to close down the embassy but has pulled out non-emergency staff and families due to security risks.
The travel advisory said that the United States “has limited ability to provide emergency services” in Venezuela.