US urges citizens to leave Venezuela immediately amid reports of militias hunting Americans
WASHINGTON — The U.S. State Department issued a security alert Friday urging all American citizens to leave Venezuela immediately, one week after U.S. special forces captured President Nicolás Maduro.
The department cited reports that "colectivos," armed pro-government militias, are establishing checkpoints and searching for U.S. citizens. Officials advised Americans to depart via international flights that have recently resumed service.
Venezuela’s Foreign Ministry rejected the alert, labeling it a series of "fabricated stories" and insisting the country is "completely peaceful and stable." However, reporters in Caracas confirmed seeing armed colectivo members carrying rifles on the streets.
The warning comes as U.S. State Department officials arrived in Caracas on Friday to prepare for the reopening of the American embassy. Interim President Delcy Rodríguez has called for improved relations with Washington.
In a statement regarding the former leader’s detention, Maduro’s son said his father and mother are "doing well" in a U.S. prison while awaiting trial.
Saigon Sentinel Analysis
The State Department’s latest security protocols underscore a widening disconnect between the White House’s triumphalist rhetoric and the volatile reality in Caracas. While President Trump has signaled that the U.S. is effectively overseeing Venezuela’s transition, the ground truth remains precarious for American personnel. This friction highlights a classic post-intervention dilemma: the removal of a head of state does not equate to the establishment of territorial control.
The power vacuum created by the arrest of Nicolás Maduro has been rapidly filled by "colectivos"—non-state armed groups operating with near-total impunity. The administration is currently telegraphing contradictory policy signals, dispatching a diplomatic delegation to prepare for an embassy reopening while simultaneously urging private citizens to flee. This rush toward normalization appears to be a calculated move to secure a domestic political victory, despite a security environment that is far from stabilized.
While Interim President Delcy Rodríguez’s outreach for improved bilateral ties is a pragmatic necessity, her administration’s refusal to acknowledge the threat posed by these irregular militias severely undermines its credibility. The official narrative of "complete tranquility" stands in direct opposition to independent field reports. Ultimately, Venezuela serves as a high-stakes litmus test for U.S. foreign policy; any harm to American citizens would immediately dismantle the White House’s "mission accomplished" narrative, creating a significant political liability.