- The U.S. State Department issued a warning on May 27, designating Venezuela as a "Do Not Travel" destination due to risks like wrongful detention, torture, kidnapping and violent crime under President Nicolas Maduro's regime.
- U.S. citizens face heightened risks of arbitrary detention based solely on nationality, with Venezuela holding more wrongfully detained Americans than any other country. Detainees often endure torture and years without legal recourse.
- The absence of a functioning U.S. embassy in Venezuela leaves detained Americans without consular assistance, and authorities frequently deny notifications or access to detainees.
- The advisory coincided with the release of U.S. Air Force veteran Joseph St. Clair, detained since November 2024. His family credited the Trump administration and envoy Ric Grenell for securing his freedom, though details remain unclear.
- The warning emphasizes that all Americans in Venezuela – including dual nationals, visa holders or those visiting family – are vulnerable to arrest. The State Department urges immediate departure due to the lack of diplomatic safeguards.
The U.S. Department of State has issued an advisory against traveling to the South American nation of Venezuela, citing risks of wrongful detention under the leadership of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
The department's travel advisory issued Tuesday, May 27, put Venezuela on the "Do Not Travel" designation. There is no U.S. embassy operating in Venezuela, leaving American citizens with no recourse in case they are detained without due process in the socialist nation.
According to the advisory, Americans in Venezuela face grave risks like "wrongful detention, torture in detention, terrorism, kidnapping, unfair law enforcement practices, violent crime, civil unrest and inadequate healthcare." U.S. embassies in countries around the South American country and in those with direct flights to it have also released similar alerts, it added. (Related: Security warning and travel advisory issued by U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas following 18 murders reported in January.)
State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce also highlighted the alarming trend of Americans being increasingly targeted for detention in Venezuela, based solely on their nationality. "More U.S. nationals are currently wrongfully detained in Venezuela than in any other country," she told reporters Tuesday. Bruce also noted that detainees face torture and are often held for years without legal recourse.
Several Americans wrongfully detained by the Maduro government
The alert was issued on the same day as Caracas' release of American national Joseph St. Clair from its custody. The Air Force veteran, who had been detained by the Maduro government since November 2024, was one of a handful of Americans wrongfully imprisoned by the socialist regime.
A statement by St. Clair's family confirmed his release. "This news came suddenly, and we are still processing it – but we are overwhelmed with joy and gratitude," said Joseph's parents Scott and Patti. The family also thanked the Trump administration for securing Joseph's release.
A report by Newsmax mentioned that Special Presidential Envoy for Special Missions Ric Grenell secured the Air Force veteran's release during talks with Maduro. Details on the arrangement were not immediately clear, however.
It is not clear when Joseph will return to U.S. soil, though the fates of other Americans imprisoned in Venezuela remain uncertain. According to the State Department advisory, Venezuelan authorities routinely deny consular access and withhold notifications of detentions, leaving families in the dark.
The warning extends beyond traditional risks like crime and unrest. It explicitly cautions that even dual nationals, visa holders or those visiting family are not safe from arbitrary arrest.
"Every American is at risk of being detained by Maduro's regime," the advisory states, urging all U.S. citizens in Venezuela to leave immediately. The absence of diplomatic presence means stranded travelers have no lifeline – a scenario that mirrors the consequences of unchecked authoritarianism.
Watch this Newsmax report about Special Envoy Ric Grenell's return to the U.S. with Joseph St. Clair in tow.
This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.
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