U.S. Urges Citizens To Leave Venezuela, Warns Armed Militias Have Set Up Roadblocks To Hunt Americans

The U.S. Embassy has warned that the security situation in Venezuela remains highly unstable, urging all U.S. citizens not to travel to the country and to depart immediately if already there.

In a January 10, 2026 security alert, the embassy reiterated longstanding travel warnings dating back to 2019, when the U.S. fully withdrew diplomatic personnel from its Caracas mission and suspended all consular services.

The advisory highlights reports of armed militia groups known as “colectivos” setting up roadblocks and searching vehicles for evidence of U.S. citizenship or support for the United States, urging citizens to remain vigilant and take precautions while traveling by road.

“Do not travel to Venezuela. U.S. citizens in Venezuela should take precautions to ensure their safety. All U.S. citizens in Venezuela are advised to leave Venezuela as soon as they feel it is safe to do so,” the travel advisory said in part.

Venezuela continues to be classified at the highest Travel Advisory level (Level 4: Do Not Travel) due to severe risks such as wrongful detention, torture, terrorism, kidnapping, arbitrary enforcement of laws, crime, civil unrest, and poor health infrastructure.

The embassy advised Americans still in Venezuela to check international flight schedules and leave as soon as safely possible, as commercial flights have resumed but seats may be limited.

It also urged them to establish multiple communication channels with family and friends outside the country and prepare contingency plans for emergency situations, since the U.S. government is currently unable to provide routine or emergency assistance.

Americans are also encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive the latest security updates.

The alert comes amid broader concerns about public safety and ongoing instability in Venezuela, including intermittent power and utility outages across the country.

In early January 2026, a major escalation in U.S. foreign policy occurred under the administration of President Donald Trump. On January 3, 2026, the U.S. military launched a targeted operation in Venezuela that resulted in the abduction of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

In the early hours of January 3, more than 200 U.S. Special Operations forces conducted a pre-dawn raid in Caracas. The mission, codenamed Operation Absolute Resolve, targeted several locations, primarily the Fort Tiuna military complex.

U.S. forces reportedly “dragged” Maduro and Flores from their residence within the complex. They were transported to the USS Iwo Jima and subsequently flown to New York City.

While no U.S. personnel were killed, the raid resulted in significant casualties. Reports indicate that at least dozens of Venezuelan security officers and Cuban special forces, acting as Maduro’s bodyguards, were killed.

Following the capture, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as acting president by the National Assembly, denouncing the operation as a “kidnapping” and a violation of sovereignty.

The public justification for the operation was framed as a law enforcement action. Upon their arrival in New York, an indictment was unsealed charging Maduro and Flores with narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy and weapons charges.

The U.S. Department of Justice alleged that Maduro had led a “cocaine-fueled” government for decades, partnering with cartels like the Sinaloa Cartel and the FARC to flood the U.S. with drugs.

On January 5, both Maduro and his wife pleaded not guilty in a Manhattan federal court.

Once the capture was secured, the rhetoric from the Trump administration began to shift from strictly criminal charges to the geopolitical and economic control of Venezuela’s natural resources.

President Trump stated shortly after the raid that the U.S. would “run the country” until a transition of power occurred.

Within days, the administration began organizing meetings with U.S. oil and gas executives to discuss rebuilding Venezuela’s energy sector.

The U.S. Department of Energy indicated it would “selectively roll back” sanctions to enable the sale of Venezuelan crude to global markets, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggesting an “oil quarantine” to exert leverage.

Critics and international observers noted that while the war on drugs provided the legal pretext for the “extraction,” the subsequent focus on oil reserves suggested that securing energy assets and regional influence were primary strategic goals.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

The Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has said it will proceed with its planned nationwide strike on January 12, 2026, unless its National Executive Council decides otherwise.

The NARD President, Mohammad Suleiman, stated this on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

It was reports that the development follows a National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja restraining the association and two of its officials from embarking on any form of industrial action from January 12.

Justice E. D. Subilim granted the interim injunction in a suit marked NICN/ABJ/06/2026, filed by the Federal Government and the Attorney-General of the Federation against NARD, Dr Suleiman and Dr Shuaibu Ibrahim.

Speaking via telephone during the programme, Suleiman said the association was not deterred by the court order, alleging that the Federal Government had failed to act in good faith despite NARD’s earlier decision to suspend its strike in November 2025.

Suleiman said, “We signed the MoU on the 27th of November. The strike was supposed to start on the 27th of December. NEC carried it over, and at the beginning of this year, we met again and gave more days.

“Then, at the close of work today, I started hearing from social media that a court injunction has been served. I’m even hearing that ‘no work, no pay’ documents have been released.

“When we are discussing and negotiating, it should be done in good faith. Once you start bringing out armouries and arms like this, it means you don’t want to negotiate in good faith.”

Asked whether the association would proceed with the strike despite the court order, the NARD president said the action would go ahead unless the NEC decides otherwise.

“We will proceed unless the National Executive Council of the Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors says otherwise,” he said.

Suleiman, however, said the association was still engaging with the Federal Government and expressed optimism that the dispute could be resolved before the strike date.

“We are in conversations. We are in discussions with the Federal Government’s team. I hope that between tonight and Sunday, a lot of things will be done properly,” he added.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

The Labour Party’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has described his recent encounter with the operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) as mild Nollywood drama.

It was learnt that Baba-Ahmed’s invitation followed concerns about recent public remarks about the judiciary and presidency.

Baba-Ahmed had, during a television interview, blamed the judiciary and the military for allowing the swearing-in of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.

An insider in security operatives said, “He even went to the length of inciting the military, saying it was President Tinubu’s swearing-in that made it possible for them to look you in the face and call you ‘bloody fools.’

“His comments carry undertones capable of heightening national tension, particularly given the sensitivity of Nigeria’s current political climate. It has nothing to do with politics, but the corporate existence of our nation could be threatened if such rhetoric is allowed to fester.”

Recounting the encounter with the DSS, Baba-Ahmed, who also doubles as the founder and chancellor of Baze University, Abuja, in an interview with Punch, said he voluntarily honoured the agency’s request and was curious about its motive because he is not a criminal.

He also denied being invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), saying the anti-graft agency had no reason to summon him.

According to Baba-Ahmed, his encounter with DSS officers made him feel sorry about the state of leadership and governance in the country.

He said, “The EFCC did not invite me, and it is very unlikely they will anytime soon. However, there was a mild Nollywood drama between some gentlemen of the DSS and myself on November 28, 2025. It lasted just two hours and 15 minutes.

“To sum it all up, I walked into their national headquarters very curious, wondering: Why are you looking for me? I’m not a criminal. The criminals are in your offices and in your corridors of power.

“But anyway, here I am. Talk to me. What do you want? I came out feeling very sorry for the Federal Republic of Nigeria. If these are who you call our leaders, then I understand why the United States of America will have to come and attack terrorists on behalf of Nigerian forces. I feel sorry for us.

“But yes, a Nollywood drama played out. They pleaded with me that, please, you know, this government is very weak. And the way you’re punching, it can crash. Now listen, these are what we call paper tigers.”

Dismissing any sense of intimidation, the LP chieftain urged Nigerians not to succumb to fear, insisting that democratic accountability must not be silenced.

He added, “The wind is blowing and they’re scaring people. Do not be afraid. Trust in God and believe in yourselves. They will add up to nothing.”

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM