British travelers are being urged to avoid Venezuela entirely after the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) escalated its advice to warn against all travel to the country, citing deepening political instability, the risk of further military action and a rapidly deteriorating security environment.

The move comes in the wake of recent United States strikes on Venezuelan targets and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, developments that have prompted international concern and thrown the South American nation into renewed uncertainty.

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FCDO Moves to “All Travel Advised Against” as Crisis Deepens

In updated guidance issued in recent days, the FCDO now advises British nationals not to travel to Venezuela under any circumstances and urges those already in the country to shelter in place while preparing for the possibility of rapid evacuation. Officials warn that the situation is volatile and could change with little notice, including sudden closures of airspace and land borders.

The shift represents one of the UK’s strongest possible travel advisories and follows what the FCDO describes as “ongoing crime and instability,” compounded by recent airstrikes across Venezuela. Authorities caution that the security environment could deteriorate further as political tensions intensify and Venezuelan institutions grapple with an abrupt power vacuum at the top of government.

The UK currently estimates that around 500 British nationals are in Venezuela. The Foreign Office has said consular teams are working to monitor their welfare, though it stresses that the ability to provide on-the-ground support could be severely constrained by instability, infrastructure failures and possible restrictions on movement.

US Strikes, Maduro’s Capture and Fears of Wider Instability

The FCDO’s escalation in advice comes after a dramatic series of events that has drawn global attention. US President Donald Trump announced that American forces had carried out strikes on targets across Venezuela and seized President Nicolás Maduro, who is now set to face drug-related charges in a US court. The operation has been criticized by several countries as a breach of Venezuelan sovereignty and a dangerous precedent in international relations.

The United Nations Secretary-General has voiced concern that the move could trigger broader instability both inside Venezuela and across the region. Venezuela’s representatives at the UN insist that state institutions remain operational and describe the US action as an illegal act of aggression. Large parts of the country are on edge, with fears that rival factions within the military and security apparatus could clash as they vie for control.

For travelers and foreign residents, the main risk is not only direct exposure to unrest, but also systemic disruption. Analysts warn that power struggles at the top can quickly translate into sudden curfews, checkpoints, localized fighting and the suspension of basic services in parts of the country, all of which make movement hazardous and complicate any attempt to leave in an emergency.

Security Situation: High Crime, Arbitrary Detention and Military Deployments

Even before the latest crisis, Venezuela had one of the highest violent crime rates in the world. The FCDO highlights pervasive risks of armed robbery, carjacking, express kidnapping and burglary, often carried out with extreme violence. Travelers have long been advised not to resist attackers and to avoid displaying valuables, including phones, cameras and jewelry, in public.

More recently, British and European nationals arriving at Caracas’ Maiquetía airport and at land border points have reported being held for hours or even days while authorities carry out extensive checks. Some foreign visitors have been accused of terrorism or subversive activity, with limited or no access to consular support. The FCDO notes that the visibility of security forces has increased nationwide, including military deployments and strict controls at border crossings and transport hubs.

There is also a risk of arbitrary detention. The UK, Australia and other governments warn their citizens that they could face questioning, detention or prosecution on vague security-related charges, with due process and consular access not guaranteed. Human rights organizations have for years reported that elements within the Venezuelan security apparatus operate with broad discretion during times of political tension.

Border Closures, Flight Disruptions and Stranded Travelers

For those already in Venezuela, one of the most immediate concerns is transport disruption. Several airlines have previously suspended or reduced services to Caracas due to security concerns and economic pressures. The latest US strikes and Venezuelan response have led to additional cancellations, diversions and severe uncertainty around upcoming flights.

The Venezuelan government recently announced a “state of external commotion” in response to the airstrikes, a legal framework that allows for enhanced security powers and, potentially, the closure of borders and national airspace. Travel experts say this raises the prospect that commercial flights could be stopped with little or no warning, leaving foreign nationals temporarily stranded.

Cruise and package holiday operators in the wider southern Caribbean are also being affected. Some lines have had to reroute or reconfigure itineraries that previously relied on Venezuelan airspace or regional airports for fly-cruise connections, creating knock-on disruption for thousands of passengers whose trips did not originally include a stop in Venezuela itself.

Humanitarian Strain and Collapsing Infrastructure

Alongside the security and political challenges, Venezuela continues to endure a deep economic and humanitarian crisis. A prolonged collapse in output, hyperinflation and years of underinvestment have left basic services severely degraded. Independent assessments and foreign ministries alike cite chronic shortages of fuel, power, clean water and medical supplies in many regions.

The FCDO and other governments describe nationwide power cuts, water rationing and long queues for fuel outside major cities. Public transport is unreliable, and travelers are strongly advised not to use buses or the Caracas metro due to regular incidents of violent robbery. Private, pre-booked transport with vetted providers has become the norm for foreign business visitors and diplomats, often involving armoured vehicles, particularly at night and on routes to and from the airport.

Healthcare is also under acute strain. International medical bodies and Venezuela’s own professional associations report that a significant proportion of basic medicines and essential hospital supplies are unavailable. Foreign nationals who fall seriously ill or are injured in an incident may find that local facilities lack the capacity or equipment to provide adequate care, increasing the possibility that medical evacuation would be required, if it is even possible given flight and airspace restrictions.

Impact on British Nationals and the Wider Travel Industry

While Venezuela is not a mass-market destination for UK holidaymakers, the FCDO’s “do not travel” stance sends a powerful signal to the global travel industry. Insurers, tour operators and airlines typically rely heavily on official government advisories when determining whether to underwrite trips or maintain services. In many cases, standard travel insurance policies become invalid if a traveler goes against their government’s explicit advice.

British nationals currently in Venezuela are being encouraged to put in place “personal emergency plans” that do not rely solely on rescue by the UK government. These may include identifying safe shelter locations away from likely protest routes, keeping travel documents and essential supplies on hand, maintaining multiple communication channels and closely monitoring local news and official advice.

Industry analysts warn that, even if the security situation stabilizes in the medium term, Venezuela’s tourism sector faces a long and uncertain path to recovery. Rebuilding trust among foreign travelers will require not only improved security but also political stabilization, restoration of basic services and assurances that visitors will not be targeted or arbitrarily detained.

How Venezuela’s Warning Compares With Other High-Risk Destinations

The FCDO’s decision to advise against all travel to Venezuela places the country in the most severe category of the UK’s risk scale, alongside a small group of destinations where conflict, state collapse or extreme lawlessness make travel unacceptably dangerous for most citizens. This level of advisory is relatively rare and reserved for situations where the risks cannot reasonably be mitigated through careful planning or localized restrictions.

Several other governments, including those of the United States, Australia and Ireland, also maintain “do not travel” warnings for Venezuela, though the emphasis in each case may differ. Some stress the danger of violent crime and kidnapping, others highlight the risk of arbitrary detention and the near-collapse of the healthcare system. Together, these advisories paint a picture of a country where institutional fragility and entrenched criminal networks significantly raise the baseline risk to foreign visitors.

For travelers accustomed to navigating destinations with moderate risk, such as high petty crime or occasional protests, this level of warning requires a different mindset. In countries under a full “do not travel” designation, the potential for sudden, large-scale disruption and the limited capacity of foreign governments to intervene fundamentally change the calculus of personal safety and responsibility.

What Travelers Should Do Now

For Britons with existing plans to visit Venezuela in the coming weeks or months, travel specialists say the priority should be to contact airlines, tour operators or cruise lines and seek cancellations or alternative arrangements. Many providers will allow changes or refunds when a government advisory shifts to “do not travel,” though terms vary and may depend on how the trip was originally booked.

British nationals already in the country are being urged to keep documentation current and accessible, avoid non-essential movement and pay particular attention to developments in their immediate area, rather than relying solely on national-level updates. Where possible, travelers are advised to maintain a low profile, avoid political gatherings, limit travel after dark and maintain regular contact with family or friends outside Venezuela.

Officials stress that any foreign national who decides to remain in Venezuela despite official advice should do so with a clear-eyed understanding of the risks. The ability of the UK and other governments to mount complex evacuation operations is constrained by local conditions, regional politics and the availability of commercial or charter transport. Self-sufficiency and advance planning, they say, are crucial.

FAQ

Q1. What exactly has the FCDO said about travel to Venezuela?
The FCDO now advises against all travel to Venezuela and urges British nationals already in the country to shelter in place while preparing for the possibility of rapid changes, including arranging options to leave when it is safe and feasible.

Q2. Why has the UK escalated its travel warning now?
The decision follows recent US military strikes on Venezuelan targets, the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and heightened fears of political instability, layered on top of an already severe security, economic and humanitarian crisis.

Q3. Is the British government organizing evacuations from Venezuela?
There has been no public announcement of a mass evacuation. The FCDO advises British nationals to review their own departure options and to recognize that official assistance may be limited by security conditions and possible closures of borders and airspace.

Q4. Is it still possible to fly in or out of Caracas?
Some flights continue to operate, but routes are subject to sudden changes, cancellations and diversions. Travelers are advised to remain in close contact with airlines or travel agents and not to assume that previously confirmed flights will run as scheduled.

Q5. What are the main risks for foreign visitors in Venezuela right now?
Key risks include violent crime, kidnapping, arbitrary detention, political unrest, sudden security operations, severe shortages of basic goods and services and disruption to transport and communications.

Q6. Does travel insurance cover trips to Venezuela under these conditions?
In many cases, travel insurance will not cover travel to a destination where a government has issued a formal “do not travel” warning. Policyholders should check wording carefully and contact their insurer before considering any trip.

Q7. Are any parts of Venezuela considered safe for tourism?
Government advice now treats the whole country as high risk. While some areas may be calmer than others on a given day, officials stress that conditions can deteriorate quickly and that risk is not confined to specific regions or cities.

Q8. What should British nationals already in Venezuela do immediately?
They are advised to stay informed through local media and official channels, avoid protests and large gatherings, keep travel documents and essential supplies close at hand and formulate a personal emergency plan that does not rely solely on government assistance.

Q9. How does the Venezuela warning compare with other dangerous destinations?
Venezuela is now in the highest-risk category used by the FCDO, similar to countries affected by open conflict or extreme lawlessness, where officials believe normal travel cannot be conducted safely.

Q10. Is there any indication when the travel warning might be relaxed?
There is no timeline for easing the advisory. Officials say the guidance will remain under constant review and will only change if there is a sustained improvement in security, political stability and the availability of reliable transport and basic services.