Armed groups and checkpoints: US urges its citizens to leave Venezuela
Illustrative photo: streets of Caracas (Getty Images)
US citizens are being advised to leave Venezuela immediately and warned against any travel to the country, according to a statement published on the website of the US Embassy in Venezuela.
The warning cites reports that armed militias are setting up checkpoints and stopping vehicles, including for the purpose of identifying US citizens.
"Do not travel due to serious risks to Americans, including unlawful detention, torture while in custody, terrorism, kidnapping, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, crime, civil unrest, and poor health-care infrastructure," the diplomatic mission cautioned on its website.
It also warned that all consular services in Venezuela, both routine and emergency, remain suspended.
The US Embassy in Venezuela added that intermittent power outages and disruptions to public utilities continue nationwide.
US operation in Venezuela
On the night of January 3, the United States carried out a series of strikes on Venezuelan territory.
The operation was described as targeted: around 2:00 AM local time, residents of Caracas reported military aircraft overhead, followed by explosions. The strikes hit sites linked to the country’s defense infrastructure.
Subsequently, Donald Trump announced a large-scale operation against Venezuela and its president, Nicolás Maduro, who was detained and taken out of the country.
At the same time, Trump indicated that the action did not amount to a full-scale military invasion.
Prior to his statement, Venezuelan authorities had declared a state of emergency, launched mobilization measures, and activated national defense plans.
