US issues ‘do not travel’ advisory for popular tourist destination before summer

The United States Department of State is telling citizens to cross Venezuela off their summer travel lists.

People should not travel to the popular tourist destination because of “crime, civil unrest, kidnapping, and the arbitrary enforcement of local laws,” the DOS said in a travel advisory issued Monday, May 13.

“Reconsider travel due to wrongful detentions, terrorism, and poor health infrastructure,” the advisory reads.

The DOS said violent crimes including homicide, armed robbery, kidnapping and carjacking are common in Venezuela, and that there is a “high risk” that U.S. travelers could be wrongfully kidnapped. Colombian terrorist groups also operate on Venezuela’s border with Colombia, Brazil and Guyana.

In addition, political rallies often occur with little notice. In recent months, Venezuela has been plagued with demonstrations against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who is seeking a third term in July.

Maduro’s presidency has been marked by a complex crisis that pushed millions of people into poverty and more than 7.7 million others to migrate, according to the Associated Press.

People can read the DOS’  information page on Venezuela for more information on travel to the country.

The Associated Press contributed to the reporting of this story.