Venezuela
Regional risks
This section has safety advice for regions of Venezuela. It only covers regions where Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has specific advice.
You should also read FCDO’s overall travel advice and safety and security advice.
Venezuela’s borders
Drug traffickers and illegal armed groups are active along the border areas with Colombia, Brazil and Guyana.
Avoid crossing between Venezuela and Colombia by land.
Crossing the border from Brazil can be a lengthy process.
There is no official land border crossing between Venezuela and Guyana, which is covered by dense jungle. Avoid crossing between Venezuela and Guyana by land.
Bolívar
FCDO advises against all travel to the Orinoco Mining Arc (‘Arco Minero’) region to the south of the Orinoco river. This includes:
- all of Cedeño Municipality
- the northern part of Sucre Municipality, from the Orinoco river to 80km south of the Troncal 19 road
- all of Heres Municpality
- the northern part of Raul Leoni Municipality, north of the Rio Paragua
- all of Piar Municipality
- all of Roscio Municipality
- all of El Callo Municipality
- all of Sifontes Municipality
Illegal armed groups are active in the ‘Arco Minero’ and involved in criminal activities, particularly in remote areas.
Delta Amacuro
FCDO advises against all travel to the area to the south of the Orinoco river, where drug traffickers and illegal armed groups are active.
Zulia
FCDO advises against all travel to Zulia state due to the presence of illegal armed groups and ongoing crime and violence.
All other areas of Venezuela
Almost all states outside Caracas are experiencing issues, including criminality, prolonged power cuts, water and fuel shortages and a general lack of essential services.