Reissued December 3, 2025 after review with no edits.

Do not travel to or remain in Venezuela due to the high risk of wrongful detention, torture in detention, terrorism, kidnapping, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, crime, civil unrest, and poor health infrastructure. All U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents in Venezuela are strongly advised to depart immediately.

Country Summary: In March 2019, the U.S. Department of State withdrew all diplomatic personnel from U.S. Embassy Caracas and suspended operations.  All consular services, routine and emergency, remain suspended until further notice. The U.S. government has no ability to provide emergency services or consular assistance to U.S. citizens in Venezuela.  Anyone with U.S. citizenship or any other U.S. residency status in Venezuela should leave the country immediately, including those traveling on Venezuelan or other foreign passports. Do not travel to Venezuela for any reason.   

The Department has determined there is a very high risk of wrongful detention of U.S. nationals in Venezuela. Security forces have detained U.S. citizens for up to five years without respect for due process.  The U.S. government is not generally informed of the detention of U.S. citizens in Venezuela nor is it permitted to visit U.S. national detainees in Venezuela. The U.S. government has no way to contact U.S. nationals detained in Venezuela, and those detained are not allowed to contact family members or independent legal counsel.  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.

Violent crimes, such as homicide, armed robbery, kidnapping, and carjacking, are common in Venezuela.  Political rallies and demonstrations occur, often with little notice.  Police and security forces have instituted a brutal crackdown on pro-democracy or anti-regime demonstrations, including the use of tear gas, pepper spray, and rubber bullets against participants, which occasionally devolve into looting and vandalism.

Colombian terrorist groups operate in Venezuela’s border areas with Colombia, Brazil, and Guyana.

Shortages of gasoline, electricity, water, medicine, and medical supplies continue throughout much of Venezuela. 

Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Venezuela.

If you decide to travel to Venezuela:

• 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.
• The U.S. government cannot assist U.S. citizens in Venezuela in replacing lost or expired travel documents or obtaining Venezuelan entry or exit stamps.
• The U.S. government will not be able to assist should the need for a medical emergency or evacuation arise.  U.S. citizens in Venezuela should consider purchasing medical evacuation insurance.
• There is no safe way to travel to Venezuela.  Avoid travel to Venezuela via any means, including via land border crossings where even crossing over into Venezuela by a few feet can result in detention.  Nighttime travel between cities or between the Maiquetia Simón Bolívar International Airport and Caracas is especially risky.  Entering or attempting to enter Venezuela without a valid Venezuelan visa will likely lead to indefinite detention without consular access.  Visas are not available upon entry.  U.S. citizens in Venezuela face a high risk of indefinite detention without consular access.  Visas and residence permits may be canceled at any

There were no changes to the advisory level or risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated.

Exercise normal precautions in Senegal.

Exercise increased caution in the Casamance region due to crime and landmines. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Advisory Summary
Senegal is generally a safe destination for travelers. Read our travel guidance for Senegal to learn how to prepare for a safe trip.

Level 2 – Exercise Increased Caution

Casamance region
Exercise Increased Caution in the Casamance region due to crime and landmines.

U.S. embassy personnel can only travel in the Casamance region on main roads and during daylight hours.

Crime
Separatist rebel groups operate in the Casamance region. Bandits sometimes commit armed robbery in the area. Stay on main roads and do not travel at night.

Landmines
Landmines and unexploded ordinance from prior conflicts exist in the Casamance region, primarily in border and rural areas. The locations of landmines and unexploded ordnance are often not known, marked, or easy to recognize.

If you decide to travel to Senegal:

• Review our information on Crime Abroad and for Victims of Crime.
• Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
• Use caution when walking or driving at night.
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Do not display signs of wealth, such as expensive watches or jewelry.
• Do not visit locations where landmines are known to exist. Be alert to signs that mark unexploded landmines. Stay on main roads and well-traveled areas.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get important updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate. Enrolling helps the U.S. embassy or consulate contact you or your emergency contact in an emergency.
• Review the Country Security Report for Senegal.
• Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the latest Travel Health Information for Senegal, including which vaccines are recommended prior to your travel.
• Whether you’re a first time or frequent traveler, use the International Travel Checklist.
• We highly recommend that you buy travel insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancelation coverage.

There were no changes to the advisory level or risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated.

Exercise normal precautions in Taiwan.

There is a risk of natural disasters in Taiwan, including earthquakes, tsunamis, typhoons, flooding, and extreme heat. Please review the Destination Information Page for more information.

If you decide to travel to Taiwan:

• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get important updates and alerts from the American Institute in Taiwan. Enrolling helps us contact you or your emergency contact in an emergency.
• Review the security report for Taiwan from the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC).
• Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.
• Whether you’re a first time or frequent traveler, use the International Travel Checklist.
• We highly recommend that you buy travel insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancelation coverage.

to South Sudan due to risk of unrest, crime, kidnapping, landmines, and health threats. 

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in South Sudan.  

• U.S. government personnel working in South Sudan are under a strict curfew. 
• U.S. government personnel must use armored vehicles for nearly all movements.  
• Official travel outside Juba is limited.  
• Because of the serious crime threat in Juba, walking is restricted to a small area near the embassy during the day.  

Unrest 
Armed conflict is ongoing and includes fighting between various political and ethnic groups. Weapons are readily available to the population. In addition, cattle raids occur throughout the country, often leading to violence. 

Journalists regularly report being harassed in South Sudan and many have been killed while covering the conflict. Reporting in South Sudan without the proper documentation from the South Sudanese Media Authority is illegal. Any journalistic work there is very dangerous. 

Crime 
Violent crime is common throughout South Sudan, including Juba. This includes carjackings, shootings, ambushes, assaults, robberies, and kidnappings.  

Foreign nationals have been the victims of rape, sexual assault, armed robberies, and other violent crimes.  

Kidnapping 
Criminal groups have kidnapped and threatened to kill or hurt people in order to force a third party, like a government, to act or abstain from doing something as a condition of release. 

Kidnapping for ransom happens occasionally in South Sudan. Criminal groups most frequently target local citizens. 

Landmines 
Landmines are sparsely located throughout the country. While most locations are marked, unmarked unexploded ordinance remains a threat and causes multiple casualties each year.  

Health 
Medical services in South Sudan are extremely limited. Adequate medical treatment, as well as access to routine and emergency procedures, is often unavailable, and even minor health issues could require medical evacuation. All medical services, including medical evacuation, are at your expense. If you purchase additional medical insurance, be sure to keep records of all medical services paid for and provided.