U.S. Warns Citizens to Flee Venezuela After Special Ops Capture of President Maduro
The U.S. Embassy in Venezuela has issued a strong security alert, urging all American citizens to leave the country immediately amid growing threats from armed militias known as colectivos, who are reportedly setting up roadblocks to target U.S. citizens. The advisory reiterates longstanding travel warnings dating back to 2019, when the U.S. fully withdrew its diplomatic personnel from Caracas.
The warning follows a major escalation in early January 2026: over 200 U.S. Special Operations forces raided Caracas in Operation Absolute Resolve, abducting President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and transporting them to New York City. The raid reportedly killed dozens of Venezuelan security personnel and Cuban bodyguards.
In Manhattan, Maduro and Flores face federal charges, including narco-terrorism and cocaine importation conspiracies, and have pleaded not guilty. Meanwhile, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has been sworn in as acting president, denouncing the operation as an illegal "kidnapping."
The U.S. administration, citing the war on drugs, has also signaled intentions to rebuild Venezuela’s energy sector and manage oil exports, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio mentioning an "oil quarantine" as leverage. Critics argue the operation primarily targets geopolitical and economic control rather than law enforcement.
Americans in Venezuela are urged to check flight availability, communicate regularly with family abroad, and enroll in the STEP program to receive security updates, as the U.S. government is currently unable to provide routine or emergency assistance.
The situation underscores Venezuela’s ongoing instability, including civil unrest, intermittent power outages, and heightened risks of crime and kidnapping.
U.S. Warns Citizens to Flee Venezuela After Special Ops Capture of President Maduro
The U.S. Embassy in Venezuela has issued a strong security alert, urging all American citizens to leave the country immediately amid growing threats from armed militias known as colectivos, who are reportedly setting up roadblocks to target U.S. citizens. The advisory reiterates longstanding travel warnings dating back to 2019, when the U.S. fully withdrew its diplomatic personnel from Caracas.
The warning follows a major escalation in early January 2026: over 200 U.S. Special Operations forces raided Caracas in Operation Absolute Resolve, abducting President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and transporting them to New York City. The raid reportedly killed dozens of Venezuelan security personnel and Cuban bodyguards.
In Manhattan, Maduro and Flores face federal charges, including narco-terrorism and cocaine importation conspiracies, and have pleaded not guilty. Meanwhile, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has been sworn in as acting president, denouncing the operation as an illegal "kidnapping."
The U.S. administration, citing the war on drugs, has also signaled intentions to rebuild Venezuela’s energy sector and manage oil exports, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio mentioning an "oil quarantine" as leverage. Critics argue the operation primarily targets geopolitical and economic control rather than law enforcement.
Americans in Venezuela are urged to check flight availability, communicate regularly with family abroad, and enroll in the STEP program to receive security updates, as the U.S. government is currently unable to provide routine or emergency assistance.
The situation underscores Venezuela’s ongoing instability, including civil unrest, intermittent power outages, and heightened risks of crime and kidnapping.
