Executive Summary
- The U.S. Embassy in Bogota reports explosions in and around Caracas, Venezuela.
- U.S. citizens are ordered to shelter in place immediately.
- Venezuela is under a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory due to terrorism and kidnapping risks.
- All U.S. diplomatic personnel were withdrawn in 2019, leaving no emergency consular services available.
The U.S. Embassy in Bogota has issued an urgent security alert advising all United States citizens currently in Venezuela to shelter in place following reports of explosions in and around the capital city of Caracas. According to the official alert released on January 3, diplomatic officials warned Americans to avoid travel within the region and to take immediate safety precautions as the situation develops.
State Department officials reiterated that Venezuela remains under a Level 4 Travel Advisory, the highest warning level, instructing Americans to “Do Not Travel.” The advisory cites severe risks including wrongful detention, terrorism, kidnapping, and civil unrest. According to the December 3, 2025 update referenced in the alert, the security environment in Venezuela is described as extremely volatile, with poor health infrastructure and arbitrary enforcement of local laws posing significant threats to foreign nationals.
The U.S. government emphasized its inability to provide emergency assistance to citizens in the country. In March 2019, the Department of State withdrew all diplomatic personnel from the U.S. Embassy in Caracas and suspended operations. Consequently, all routine and emergency consular services remain unavailable. Officials urged U.S. citizens to establish multiple methods of communication with family members abroad and to depart the country immediately only when it is deemed safe to do so.
Regional Security Implications
This incident highlights the precarious safety landscape for United States citizens remaining in nations with severed diplomatic ties. With the suspension of the U.S. Embassy in Caracas, the logistical capacity to extract or assist Americans during active security crises is virtually nonexistent. The directive to shelter in place reflects a lack of on-the-ground assets to facilitate evacuation. This event serves as a critical reminder of the tangible dangers associated with travel to Level 4 jurisdictions, where the protective reach of U.S. consular support is effectively nullified.
