The United States Department of State is opening 2026 with a sharper edge on global travel risk, reissuing a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory for Venezuela and rolling out a series of updated security alerts that touch tourist hubs across Asia, Africa, and South America.

The moves follow a week of fresh warnings to Americans about wrongful detention linked to prescription medications, mistreatment in custody, and a rise in violent crimes targeting foreign visitors in destinations long considered relatively safe.

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Reissued ‘Do Not Travel’ Warning Targets Venezuela After U.S. Operation

The most politically charged advisory involves Venezuela, where the State Department has reaffirmed its highest Level 4 “Do Not Travel” warning in the wake of dramatic developments on the ground.

The advisory, updated in early January 2026, underscores what U.S. officials describe as a “very high risk” of wrongful detention of American citizens, alongside entrenched violent crime and a lack of consular access.

According to the updated guidance, Venezuelan security forces have held U.S. nationals for years without due process, and American authorities are often neither informed of arrests nor permitted to visit detainees.

Former prisoners and human rights monitors have documented reports of torture and degrading treatment, including severe beatings and stress positions, as well as allegations of waterboarding and other abuses.

The harsh language comes just one day after a U.S. military operation in Venezuela resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, prompting a national emergency in the country and unleashing a wave of political and security uncertainty.

Airlines temporarily re-routed flights to avoid Venezuelan airspace and regional connections across the eastern Caribbean were disrupted, signaling how quickly political crises can spill over into practical travel obstacles for ordinary passengers.

For now, the State Department is clear: American travelers are urged not to visit Venezuela at all and to depart as soon as it is safe if they are already in the country.

Officials say limited diplomatic reach and the breakdown of institutional protections make it extremely difficult to assist citizens who get into trouble there, particularly those detained on security or drug-related allegations.

Global Travel Map for 2026: Elevated Risks Across Multiple Regions

The Venezuela warning slots into a global advisory map that already included more than twenty Level 4 “Do Not Travel” destinations by late 2025, ranging from active conflict zones to deeply unstable states with systemic violent crime.

Countries such as Afghanistan, Haiti, Somalia, Yemen, and Ukraine remained at the highest risk level, reflecting the persistence of war, kidnapping, terrorism, and state hostility toward foreigners.

At the same time, dozens of nations were classified as Level 3 “Reconsider Travel” due to serious safety threats, including Colombia, Egypt, Jamaica, Nigeria, and Trinidad and Tobago.

In many of these countries, the primary concerns include armed robbery, kidnappings, gang violence, and a pattern of crimes that disproportionately affect visitors unfamiliar with local dynamics or security red flags.

The picture remains complex in popular tourism markets that carry Level 2 “Exercise Increased Caution” labels, where millions of Americans still travel each year. Destinations such as Brazil, Peru, South Africa, Morocco, and the Dominican Republic have all seen advisories emphasizing crime, civil unrest, or limited emergency services.

Several are also flagged as “higher security risk” countries within the Level 2 bracket, highlighting pockets of danger that coexist with resort corridors and established tourism infrastructure.

State Department officials stress that advisory levels are based on a mix of crime statistics, conflict indicators, health system capacity, and the host government’s treatment of foreign nationals.

Levels 3 and 4 are reviewed at least every six months, while Levels 1 and 2 are reassessed annually, and can be raised at any point if conditions deteriorate or U.S. staffing changes.

New Warnings on Prescription Drugs, Wrongful Detention, and Mistreatment

Running in parallel to country-specific advisories, U.S. diplomats and consular officials have used the start of the year to amplify a more general warning: Americans abroad are fully subject to local laws, and seemingly routine behavior at home can carry severe penalties elsewhere, particularly when it comes to medications and controlled substances.

In late December 2025, the State Department and U.S. embassies in several regions circulated alerts pointing to the growing risk of wrongful or arbitrary detention of American citizens, with particular reference to prescription drugs that may be tightly regulated or outright banned in some jurisdictions.

Travelers carrying medications for attention-deficit disorders, anxiety, pain, or sleep have faced questions at customs, confiscation of pills, and in a handful of cases, serious criminal charges.

Officials warn that countries with an elevated risk for wrongful detention may use drug or national security laws in an unpredictable, politicized way, sometimes detaining foreigners when the same conduct might not even be a prosecutable offense in the United States.

The alerts also highlight patterns of abusive treatment in custody, from limited access to legal counsel and family contact, to allegations of beatings, coerced confessions, and overcrowded or unsanitary detention facilities.

Travel experts say the revived focus on detention risks reflects both specific cases and a broader geopolitical context, as Washington spars with a number of governments that see American nationals as potential leverage in diplomatic disputes.

The State Department now maintains a dedicated list of countries where wrongful detention is considered a recognized risk indicator, advising travelers to think carefully about entering those jurisdictions, even for short trips.

Security Alerts for Tourist Hotspots in Asia, Africa, and South America

While not all updates rise to the level of a full advisory change, the State Department has issued a fresh wave of security alerts for high-traffic tourism destinations across Asia, Africa, and South America as 2026 begins.

Many target popular city centers and coastal resort areas, where a combination of post-pandemic tourism recovery and economic strain has fed rising petty crime and, in some places, more aggressive violent incidents.

In Asia, recent alerts have focused on large urban hubs and nightlife districts where theft, credit card skimming, drink spiking, and harassment have been reported.

Some countries have seen sporadic political protests and unrest in central squares and near government buildings, prompting U.S. missions to warn travelers to steer clear of demonstrations and to plan alternative routes in case of sudden road closures or public transport disruptions.

Across parts of Africa, embassy notices have flagged an uptick in armed robberies against tourists leaving airports, moving between national parks, or visiting nightlife zones in major cities.

There have also been warnings about carjackings and highway robberies after dark along key tourist corridors, as well as sporadic terror incidents in regions where extremist groups remain active.

Travelers are being urged to use vetted transportation providers, avoid traveling at night outside urban centers, and heed local curfews or security checkpoints.

South America has seen a particular focus on crimes of opportunity that tip into violence. New alerts describe incidents in which foreigners were followed from currency exchange locations or upscale restaurants, as well as cases of express kidnappings and robberies in ride-hailing vehicles flagged from mobile apps.

Even in countries that remain at Level 1 or Level 2 on the official advisory scale, embassy messages emphasize that tourist-heavy neighborhoods are not immune to these trends, especially after dark and in periods of political tension.

From “Generally Safe” to Targeted: Why Tourists Are in the Crosshairs

The latest State Department messaging emphasizes a nuanced reality: some destinations widely marketed as safe or family-friendly still present significant risks for unwary visitors.

Officials and security analysts point to several factors converging at once, including widening inequality after the pandemic, organized crime adapting to new travel patterns, and a perception that tourists, especially from wealthier countries, are lucrative and relatively soft targets.

In cities across Latin America, parts of Southern Africa, and a handful of Asian metropolises, reports of violent robberies involving foreign travelers have risen, even as overall homicide rates may be stable or declining.

Criminal groups have been quick to exploit predictable tourist routines such as late-night bar hopping, solo rides back to hotels, or carrying large amounts of cash and electronics in crowded markets.

Another concern involves destination reputations lagging behind present conditions. Places that once ranked high on global safety indices may be grappling with new political turmoil or economic shocks, yet still enjoy an image of calm in foreign media and marketing materials.

That gap can leave visitors less inclined to take basic precautions like checking real-time local news, avoiding certain neighborhoods, or registering with embassies.

Security experts also note that social media has fueled a preference for off-the-beaten-path experiences, drawing travelers deeper into neighborhoods or rural areas with limited police presence, inconsistent cellular coverage, and few options for emergency evacuation.

State Department advisories now frequently highlight the difference between major tourist enclaves with private security and the broader countryside or urban periphery, where the risks may be sharply higher.

How U.S. Officials Are Urging Travelers to Respond

In public briefings and written guidance, U.S. officials have taken pains to stress that a high advisory level does not mean Americans should panic about all international travel, but rather that they should treat the warnings as a starting point for planning, not as fine print to be ignored.

For those still considering trips to countries labeled Level 2 or Level 3, the State Department recommends close reading of the embassy’s security messages and a frank assessment of personal risk tolerance.

Travelers are being urged to consult the detailed advisory pages for their destinations, which break down specific threats ranging from terrorism and civil unrest to health system limitations and natural disasters.

The agency reiterates that even in places classified as Level 1 “Exercise Normal Precautions,” basic measures such as keeping copies of key documents, sharing itineraries with family, and maintaining situational awareness remain important.

Americans heading abroad are also encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program so they can receive real-time alerts about protests, violent incidents, or sudden policy shifts that might affect their plans.

In particularly volatile environments, U.S. missions may issue alerts detailing recommended routes to airports, temporary shelter-in-place advice, or curfew information.

For destinations with known detention or legal risks, State Department officials emphasize the need to carry prescriptions in original labeled containers, obtain doctor’s letters for controlled medications, and check both State Department and local embassy guidance on what is allowed.

They warn that ignorance of local drug or security laws will not protect travelers from arrest, and that U.S. diplomatic leverage may be minimal in some high-risk countries.

FAQ

Q1. What exactly does a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory mean for U.S. citizens?
It is the State Department’s highest warning level, signaling life-threatening risks such as armed conflict, widespread crime, or a high chance of wrongful detention. Americans are strongly advised not to go at all, and those already in a Level 4 country are urged to leave if it is safe to do so, as U.S. government assistance may be extremely limited.

Q2. Why did the United States reissue the “Do Not Travel” warning for Venezuela at the start of 2026?
The advisory was reissued to reflect ongoing security and human rights concerns, including reports of wrongful detention of U.S. nationals, severe limitations on consular access, and high levels of violent crime, all of which are heightened by the political and military turmoil surrounding the recent U.S. operation and the capture of Nicolás Maduro.

Q3. Are American tourists really being targeted in countries that are generally considered safe?
Yes, officials and security analysts report more incidents in which tourists have been singled out for robberies, express kidnappings, and scams in otherwise stable destinations. Economic pressures, organized crime, and predictable tourist behavior are contributing to a trend where foreign visitors are seen as high-value targets, especially in busy city centers and nightlife areas.

Q4. What is the new concern regarding prescription drugs and travel?
The State Department has warned that some countries strictly regulate or ban medications that are commonly prescribed in the United States, such as certain ADHD, anxiety, or pain medicines. Travelers carrying these drugs without proper documentation may face confiscation, arrest, or, in extreme cases, detention under national security or narcotics laws, even if they have a legitimate prescription at home.

Q5. How can travelers reduce the risk of wrongful detention abroad?
Travelers are advised to research local laws before departure, carry medications in original containers along with a physician’s letter, avoid political activities or protests in foreign countries, and follow all immigration and customs rules carefully. Registering with the U.S. embassy through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program and keeping family informed of itineraries can also help if something goes wrong.

Q6. Which regions are currently seeing the most new security alerts?
Recent embassy and consular alerts have concentrated on tourist-heavy cities and resort corridors in parts of Asia, Africa, and South America, highlighting rising street crime, after-dark robberies, carjackings, and occasional terror threats. While the overall advisory levels may not change in every case, these alerts point to specific neighborhoods, routes, or behaviors that warrant added caution.

Q7. Does a Level 2 advisory mean it is unsafe to travel to that country?
A Level 2 advisory does not prohibit travel but signals that Americans should exercise increased caution. That can reflect concerns about crime, civil unrest, terrorism, health care limitations, or natural disasters. Millions of people still visit Level 2 destinations each year, but the State Department urges them to stay informed and take added precautions, especially outside well-policed tourist areas.

Q8. How often are travel advisories reviewed or changed?
According to State Department policy, Level 1 and Level 2 advisories are reviewed at least once every 12 months, while Level 3 and Level 4 advisories are reassessed at least every six months. However, any advisory can be updated sooner if conditions on the ground change substantially, such as during coups, major terror incidents, natural disasters, or significant crime spikes.

Q9. What practical steps should travelers take before visiting a higher-risk country?
They should read the full State Department advisory and recent embassy security messages, enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, verify that their travel insurance covers medical evacuation and security incidents, and plan transportation using trusted providers. Consulting local news in English or through reputable regional outlets can provide additional context on protests, election-related tensions, or crime hotspots.

Q10. Where can Americans find official and up-to-date information about travel risks?
Official U.S. government information is available through the State Department’s travel advisory pages, individual U.S. embassy and consulate websites, and the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, which delivers alerts directly by email or text. Travelers can supplement this by checking reputable international news organizations, but are urged to rely on U.S. government channels for the most authoritative guidance on security and consular support.