The advisory identifies ongoing operations by the Tren de Aragua organization and Cartel de los Soles as active threats throughout the country, particularly affecting border zones with Colombia, Brazil, and Guyana. Specific warnings target the use of unregulated taxis from Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía and ATM withdrawals near the airport. Night travel between cities or between the airport and Caracas remains classified as high-risk.
Despite efforts to resume US embassy operations in Caracas following Maduro’s detention, routine consular services remain suspended. The Venezuela Affairs section at the US Embassy in Bogotá continues to serve as the de facto legation, with limited ability to provide emergency assistance to US citizens outside the capital.
Argentina’s Foreign Ministry issued a contrasting assessment, reiterating in January 2026 its recommendation against travel to Venezuela except in cases of strict necessity. The advisory, which updates communications from May 2025, emphasizes the Venezuelan government’s consistent refusal to permit consular, legal, or other assistance to detained foreign nationals. Buenos Aires cites insecurity, movement complications, and limited access to essential services as factors preventing effective consular support.
The US Treasury Department issued a general license authorizing American entities to conduct commercial operations with Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) and its subsidiaries, aiming to facilitate resumption of commercial and financial operations amid volatile international oil prices linked to Iran conflict and Strait of Hormuz restrictions. The license covers various transactions, though the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control did not detail its complete scope.
This article was curated and published as part of our South American energy market coverage.
Discover more from Nyland South Energy
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
