The U.S. is warning Americans to avoid traveling to Venezuela’s western border with Colombia because of the risk of kidnapping by Colombian “terrorist groups,” the U.S. Embassy in Caracas said Tuesday.
The warning indicated that Colombian leftist rebels are capable of operating across the border in Venezuelan territory despite strenuous Venezuelan government denials of their presence.
A State Department travel advisory for Venezuela said the risk is particularly high in the southern jungle state of Amazonas, where the department had received “credible information that Colombian terrorist groups are increasingly targeting U.S. citizens” for kidnapping.
“The embassy recommends that United States citizens avoid travel to Amazonas State, and to any area within 50 miles along the Venezuelan border with Colombia until further notice,” the statement said.
