U.S. issues ‘do not travel’ alert for Venezuela amid political turmoil

The U.S. State Department says American’s shouldn’t travel to Venezuela and it warns of unrest and the threat of being arbitrarily arrested.

Tuesday’s announcement raises the travel advisory to its highest level.

Canada’s travel alert for the country is “avoid non-essential travel,” which is below the “avoid all travel” designation applied to countries such as Mali and Pakistan.

“Avoid non-essential 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 and water,” Canada’s guidelines state.

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Venezuela is gripped by raising political instability as U.S.-backed opposition leader Juan Guaido presses to oust socialist President Nicolas Maduro.

Officials have cleared the U.S. embassy in Caracas of everybody but essential staff.

The travel advisory warns of the threat of kidnapping, robberies and mass demonstrations occurring with little notice.

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0:37 U.S. sanctions against Venezuela are illegal: Russia

Opposition leaders have called for anti-government demonstrations this week.

Canada will host a meeting of the Lima Group of nations next week to discuss how to support Guaido in seizing interim power from Venezuela’s Maduro until free elections to replace him can be held.

— With files from Global News.