The State Department on Monday issued another Level 4 Travel advisory warning Americans not to visit a foreign nation. Americans already in the country are advised to leave immediately. The Level 4 advisory — which is the most serious of the four levels — says Americans should not visit Venezuela for any reason.
The agency cites the threat of wrongful detention and possible torture of Americans imprisoned in Venezuela. The warning claims that security forces have detained U.S. citizens for up to five years without respect for due process. The U.S. government is not always informed of these detentions and cannot make contact with Americans detained by those forces.
“According to former detainees, as well as independent human rights organizations, detainees have been subjected to torture and cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment or punishment, including severe beatings, prolonged restraint in stress positions, and waterboarding,” a portion of the advisory reads.
Detained individuals are not allowed to contact family members or independent legal counsel, according to the warning.
Violent crimes, possible terrorism and government crackdowns are also cited as reasons not to visit Venezuela at this time. If traveling to Venezuela, the State Department recommends Americans:
- Prepare a will and designate appropriate insurance beneficiaries and/or power of attorney.
- Develop a communication plan with family and/or an employer or host organization. A plan should include a “proof of life” protocol with loved ones so that if you are taken hostage, detained, and/or tortured, your loved ones will know specific questions (and answers) to ask the hostage-takers to confirm you are still alive. This will help expose scam artists who attempt to falsely extort your family members by claiming the ability to have you released.
- Consider hiring a professional security organization.
- Any contingency plans for travel to or from Venezuela should not rely on U.S. government assistance.
- Update vaccinations to include all up-to-date standard vaccinations, plus Yellow Fever, Meningitis, Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and a Polio booster. All visitors should take Malaria prophylaxis. Venezuela is high risk for Malaria.
For more information on the advisory, visit the State Department website.
