The U.S. Department of State on Wednesday warned Americans against traveling to Venezuela, maintaining a Level 4—“Do Not Travel"—advisory first issued in May amid rising tensions over the U.S.'s anti-drug trafficking campaign and pressure on the government of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

Several Western countries have updated travel advisories, warning their citizens not to travel to Venezuela.

Why It Matters

More than a dozen U.S. warships and 15,000 troops have been amassed in the Caribbean as part of "Operation Southern Spear." The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has previously warned operators to "exercise caution" over Venezuelan airspace "due to the worsening security situation and heightened military activity in or around Venezuela."

President Donald Trump spoke to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in late November but it remains unclear if the threat of U.S. military action against the Latin American country remains on the table. Tensions in the region are escalating as the U.S. signals similar actions could extend to other countries in Latin America.

What To Know

Norway and Sweden have joined the U.S., Canada, Australia, Germany and Italy in warning against travel to Venezuela, citing crime, instability and limited consular support.

Trump announced the U.S. closure of Venezuelan airspace on Saturday. Venezuela revoked the operating permits of six international airlines that subsequently suspended flights following warnings by the FAA. Since September, several civilian aircraft transiting the region experienced disruptions with their Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), some with effects that persisted well beyond the affected airspace, the FAA said last week.

The Level 4 travel advisory, the highest that exists, was issued in May. Americans traveling to Venezuela, often to visit loved ones, face the same dangers as other visitors, with family members frequently detained alongside them, meaning such trips also put others at risk, the U.S. State Department said at the time.

Meanwhile, Venezuela is accepting U.S. migrant‑deportation flights. A plane from the United States carrying 266 Venezuelan migrants landed in Venezuela on Wednesday, according to Reuters.

What People Are Saying

U.S. State Department Travel Advisory issued Wednesday: "Americans are advised not to 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."

President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social Saturday: "To all Airlines, Pilots, Drug Dealers, and Human Traffickers, please consider THE AIRSPACE ABOVE AND SURROUNDING VENEZUELA TO BE CLOSED IN ITS ENTIRETY."

What Happens Next

Venezuela will allow twice-weekly U.S. migrant deportation flights at Washington’s request despite Trump calling its airspace "closed," according to The Associated Press.

US issues travel warning for Venezuela: What to know