Federal government warns Canadians to avoid all travel to Venezuela

The Government of Canada has issued a warning against all travel to Venezuela.

According to the federal government, travellers should avoid the region “due to the significant level of violent crime, the unstable political and economic situations and the decline in basic living conditions, including shortages of medication, food staples, gasoline and water.”

Avoid all travel to #Venezuela due to the significant level of violent crime, the unstable political and economic situations and the decline in basic living conditions, including shortages of medication, food staples, gasoline and water. https://t.co/yqCzX8kbbe

— travel.gc.ca (@TravelGoC) February 5, 2019

“The security situation in Venezuela remains unstable and could deteriorate with very little warning,” states the Canadian government’s website, which also adds that Venezuela has one of the world’s highest homicide rates.

It also warns that Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía (Caracas) is dangerous.

“Incidents of violent crime occur frequently, both inside the facilities and in the surrounding areas. Kidnappers and armed robbers have targeted foreigners, who are assumed to be holding large amounts of foreign currency,” it reads.

Government of Canada