Latin America • Updated July 2026

Country Risk Report

Venezuela

Overall Risk Rating

High

Capital

Caracas

Languages

Spanish (official)

Currency

Venezuelan bolivar (VES); US dollar widely used

Executive Summary

Venezuela is classified as a HIGH risk destination in a state of acute political uncertainty following extraordinary events in early 2026. On 3 January 2026, US forces captured President Nicolas Maduro in a military operation in Caracas and took him to the United States to face charges, after months of a US military build-up in the Caribbean and strikes on alleged drug-trafficking vessels. Vice President Delcy Rodriguez was sworn in as interim president, and the political settlement remains fragile and contested. The environment combines a collapsed economy and public services, high violent crime, repression, and now the risk of further US military action, with a large US naval presence remaining off the coast and an oil blockade in place. Political repression has reportedly intensified, and the country's future direction is uncertain. Violent crime, kidnapping and the effects of years of humanitarian and economic crisis persist, and the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, a US-designated terrorist organisation, operates domestically and across the region, though its leader was reported killed in mid-2026. Comprehensive US sanctions affect banking, payments and the ability to operate. Cover for Venezuela is available on request only, subject to sanctions screening given the comprehensive sanctions and oil blockade. Standard travel insurance is invalid, and travel is viable only for critical purposes with specialist security support and comprehensive war-risk, evacuation and kidnap-for-ransom insurance in place.

Risk Matrix

Category	Risk Rating	Commentary
Armed Conflict	Moderate	No internal war, but US strikes and operations and a naval build-up create escalation risk.
Terrorism	Moderate	Tren de Aragua and armed groups operate; border areas see guerrilla activity.
Kidnapping	High	Express and ransom kidnapping affect Caracas and other areas; foreigners are targets.
Crime	High	High violent and opportunistic crime amid economic collapse and weak policing.
Civil Unrest	High	Political tension and repression, with unrest possible amid the uncertain transition.
Health & Medical	High	The health system has collapsed. Serious cases require evacuation.
Internal Travel	High	Fuel shortages, checkpoints, border insecurity and poor infrastructure constrain movement.
Digital / Cyber	High	Pervasive state surveillance and monitoring amid political repression.

Essential Precautions

1Travel only for critical purposes with professional security support and specialist war-risk, evacuation and kidnap-for-ransom cover in place before arrival.

2Confirm sanctions status before travel, as comprehensive sanctions and the oil blockade affect banking, payments and operations.

3Account for further US action. A large US naval presence remains and further strikes or operations cannot be ruled out.

4Treat crime and kidnapping as serious risks. Violent crime, express kidnapping and ransom kidnapping affect Caracas and other areas.

5Avoid the Colombian border regions, where armed groups, guerrillas and trafficking concentrate the danger.

6Avoid protests and political gatherings, which can draw a heavy and sometimes lethal security response amid repression.

7Plan for a cash and dollar economy given banking collapse and sanctions; Western cards do not reliably work.

8Practise strict digital hygiene and travel with clean devices given surveillance and repression.

Security Situation

High

Venezuela is in a period of acute uncertainty after the US capture of Maduro, combining a collapsed economy, high crime, repression and the risk of further US military action. Conditions are fragile and could shift quickly depending on the political transition.

Caracas and the Centre

High

Caracas has high violent crime and is the centre of political tension, repression and any transition-related instability.

The Colombian Border (Tachira, Zulia, Apure)

High

The Colombian border regions are dangerous, with Colombian guerrillas, armed groups and trafficking networks operating.

The Interior and Guayana

High

The interior and Guayana region see crime, illegal mining violence and weak state presence.

The Caribbean Coast and Maritime Approaches

High

The Caribbean coast and maritime approaches are the focus of the US naval presence and anti-trafficking strikes.

Detailed Risk Assessment

Armed Conflict

Moderate

There is no internal war, but the US military operation, continued naval presence and strikes on vessels create a real risk of further action, and the border regions see armed-group and guerrilla activity spilling from Colombia.

Terrorism

Moderate

The main armed-actor threats come from Tren de Aragua, a US-designated terrorist organisation, and Colombian guerrilla groups operating in border areas, rather than classic terrorism. Their activity affects specific regions.

Kidnapping and Detention

High

Express kidnapping and ransom kidnapping affect Caracas and other areas, and arbitrary detention of foreigners and dual nationals by the authorities is a documented risk, sometimes used for leverage. Border regions add guerrilla abduction risk.

Crime and Lawlessness

High

Violent and opportunistic crime is high amid economic collapse and weak policing, including armed robbery, carjacking and homicide. Criminal groups and colectivos exert influence in some areas.

Internal Travel

High

Movement is constrained by fuel shortages, degraded infrastructure, checkpoints, border insecurity and unreliable services. Air links are limited and can be disrupted, and the security climate can change quickly.

Health and Disease

High

The health system has collapsed after years of crisis, with severe shortages of staff, medicines and power, and the return of previously controlled diseases. Serious cases require international evacuation, which is complicated by sanctions and limited air links.

Cultural and Religious Sensitivities

Moderate

Venezuela is culturally warm and predominantly Catholic, and travellers are generally well received, but the overriding sensitivity is political. Discussion of the government, the transition or the US role is dangerous amid repression.

LGBT Travellers

Moderate

Same-sex relationships are legal but there are limited legal protections and social attitudes vary, with more openness in Caracas. Discretion is advisable, particularly amid the current instability.

Diplomatic and Government Situation

High

The political settlement is fragile after the US capture of Maduro, with Delcy Rodriguez as interim president, a continued US naval presence, an oil blockade and an uncertain transition. Western consular support is limited, and the situation could change quickly.

Digital and Cyber Threats

High

The state operates pervasive surveillance and monitors communications amid intensified repression, and connectivity is unreliable due to infrastructure collapse. Sensitive content or affiliations can create serious risk.

Vaccinations & Health Hazards

Strongly Recommended

Yellow Fever
Recommended for parts of the country; carry certification.
Hepatitis A and Typhoid
Recommended due to contaminated food and water.
Measles (MMR)
Recommended given the return of outbreaks amid collapse.
Hepatitis B and Tetanus
Recommended given limited safe medical care.

Other Health Hazards

Malaria: Risk has surged, especially in mining and southern areas. Take prophylaxis.
Disease resurgence: Previously controlled diseases have returned amid the collapse.
Medicine shortages: Severe shortages; carry your own supply.
Trauma capacity: Trauma care is limited. Carry a kit and pre-arrange evacuation.
Routine vaccines: Ensure all primary courses and boosters are up to date on the UK schedule.

Choosing the Right Insurance

Standard travel insurance is invalid for Venezuela. Cover is available on request only, subject to sanctions screening given the comprehensive US sanctions and oil blockade, and must be specialist insurance covering emergency medical evacuation, security extraction, repatriation and kidnap-for-ransom response. Policies may exclude border regions and require pre-travel approval.

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Annex A - Key Risk Dynamics

Checkpoints and Detention Triggers

Security forces and colectivos operate checkpoints; cooperate calmly. Carry documents and a clear, verifiable purpose. Do not photograph security forces, military or infrastructure. Border areas are heavily militarised and dangerous.

Kidnapping and Detention Dynamics

Express and ransom kidnapping both affect Caracas and other areas; foreigners are targets. Arbitrary detention of foreigners and dual nationals is a documented risk. Border regions carry guerrilla abduction risk. Most incidents occur in transit and after dark.

High-Risk Travellers

Leisure travellers have no support structure amid the crisis and uncertainty. Dual nationals face particular detention risk. Border-area travellers face guerrilla and armed-group risk. Journalists face repression and detention risk.

Annex B - Key Preparation & Checklists

Essential Preparation and Medical

Travel only for critical purposes with specialist security support and cover. Confirm sanctions status and insurance eligibility before travel. Plan for a cash and US-dollar economy given banking collapse. Establish extraction and evacuation plans and carry a trauma kit.

Digital Security and Checkpoints

Travel with clean devices and enable remote wipe. Assume communications are monitored amid repression. Clear sensitive content and affiliations. Turn off geolocation and cloud sync.

Movement and Operational Security

Avoid border regions given guerrilla and armed-group activity. Plan around chronic fuel shortages. Avoid protests and political gatherings amid repression. Note the US naval presence and maritime operations.

Conduct and Legal Compliance

Avoid all discussion of the government, transition or US role. Keep a low profile and avoid displaying wealth. Never photograph security forces or infrastructure.

This report is provided for information only and does not constitute travel or security advice. Ratings are indicative and subject to change without notice. Confirm current conditions with Hotspot Cover before any deployment.