The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands recommended its citizens not to travel to Venezuela, due to the political crisis that the nation is experiencing after the presidential elections on July 28, 2024. The authorities marked some in red. border states such as: Amazonas, Sucre and Delta Amacuro, the area border between Venezuela and Colombia and the border between Venezuela and Brazil, among others
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands recommended its citizens not to travel to Venezuela, due to the political crisis that the nation is experiencing after the presidential elections of July 28, 2024. On its website the Government established several recommendations where the border states in red as a sign of high danger and some cities such as Caracas, Barquisimeto or Puerto Cabello in orange.
“Venezuela has been uneasy since the presidential elections. Violence can arise during protests and demonstrations. Arbitrary arrests also occur. The red color code is for most border areas and much of the northwest, northeast and south of Venezuela, whatever your situation, do not travel here, it is too dangerous,” warns the Ministry.
The authorities added that Although the color orange indicates fewer risks, they pointed out that it is still not safe to travel to these places.not even in the case of vacations. Likewise, they warned that within the framework of the inauguration of Nicolás Maduro on January 10, the number of demonstrations and violent incidents could increase. For January 9 there are demonstrations called by both the Maduro government and the opposition.
The red color code applies to the following areas:
The states of Amazonas, Sucre and Delta Amacuro
The border area between Venezuela and Colombia
The border area between Venezuela and Brazil
The western part of the Zulia state (except the city of Maracaibo)
The northern part of Bolívar state (the ‘Arco Minero’ area is a ‘restricted access zone’)
The northern part of the Paraguaná Peninsula in Falcón state (the area south of Punto Fijo and Adicora is color coded orange)
“Armed gangs and human traffickers operate in these areas. Shootings occur regularly. There is also drug smuggling in the border areas with Colombia and Brazil and in the northern part of the Paraguaná Peninsula. “Kidnappings, robberies and settlements happen here,” warned the Chancellery.
*Read also: Diosdado Cabello says that there are 125 foreign citizens detained in Venezuela
Orange: only essential trips
“Only travel to orange-coded areas if necessary, for example for a family member’s funeral, if urgently for work. It is not safe to go on vacation. The Dutch embassy will have fewer possibilities to help you if you have problems,” they maintain in the text.
The color code of travel recommendations for the rest of Venezuela is orange. This applies, among other things, to:
The capital Caracas
The states of Anzoátegui, Barinas, Carabobo, Cojedes, Guárico, Lara, Mérida, Miranda, Monagas, Portuguesa, Trujillo, Vargas and Yaracuy
The southern half of the Bolívar State (including Roraima National Park and Canaima National Park), except the border strip with Brazil
The eastern part of the Zulia state (including the city of Maracaibo)
Margarita Island and the Los Roques archipelago
The Netherlands indicated that arbitrary arrests occur in Venezuela and that Dutch citizens run that risk, especially if, in addition to Dutch, they also have Venezuelan nationality. “The chances of a fair trial are slim. Please note that the options the Dutch government has to help the Dutch in this situation are very limited,” reads part of the warnings.
The Dutch government also suggested avoiding meetings, crowds and demonstrations and not recording them. “Authorities may search your phone or tablet for photographs, videos or other politically sensitive material. This may be grounds for your arrest.”
Finally, they indicated that roads are often blocked during demonstrations and that it was not prudent to pass or pass through a roadblock. Likewise, they asked citizens to take into account that the demonstrations may affect public transportation, banking and government services.
The Minister of Interior Relations, Justice and Peace, Diosdado Cabello, reported this Monday, January 6, during a security assessment that Venezuela has 125 foreign citizens detained for allegedly being hired to carry out “terrorist and destabilizing acts.” The figure is more than double that compiled by the NGO Foro Penal. Until now, the Venezuelan authorities have handled the detentions of foreign citizens with utmost secrecy.
*Journalism in Venezuela is carried out in a hostile environment for the press with dozens of legal instruments available for the punishment of speech, especially the laws “against hate”, “against fascism” and “against the blockade.” This content was written taking into consideration the threats and limits that, consequently, have been imposed on the dissemination of information from within the country..
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