skip to contentAdvertisementThe warning comes about a week after US forces carried out an operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro.By: Express Web Desk January 11, 2026 12:22 PM IST First published on: Jan 11, 2026 at 12:22 PM IST ShareWhatsapptwitterFacebookAn armed civilian takes part in a pro-government protest demanding the release of President Nicolas Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores, a day after U.S. forces captured and flew them to the United States, in Caracas, Venezuela. (AP Photo)The United States government has told its citizens to leave Venezuela straightaway amid growing concern that armed pro-government militias are stopping vehicles and looking for signs that travellers are American or support the US.In a security alert issued on Saturday, the State Department said there were “reports of groups of armed militias, known as ‘colectivos,’ setting up roadblocks and searching vehicles for evidence of US citizenship or support for the United States.”Pro-government armed civilians attend a protest demanding the release of President Nicolas Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores, a day after US forces captured and flew them to the United States, in Caracas, Venezuela. (Photo: AP)It added that American citizens should “remain vigilant and exercise caution when travelling by road” and should depart now that some international flights have restarted.Also read US intercepts fifth sanctioned tanker as it exerts control over Venezuelan oil distributionThe warning comes about a week after US forces carried out an operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro. While many opponents of Maduro have welcomed his capture, supporters of the former president have protested and described the operation as an act of foreign aggression.US President Donald Trump told reporters last week that he hoped it would become safe to visit Venezuela in the future. “I think at some point it’ll be safe,” he said.Most Read1‘Open fire immediately’: Why Denmark just authorised its troops to engage if the US moves on Greenland2Iran threatens protesters with ‘death penalty’ charges as 72 killed, over 2,300 detained in govt crackdown36 killed in shooting across three locations in Mississippi, suspect arrested4US and allies launch large-scale strikes on Islamic State in Syria after attack that killed 3 Americans5Iran’s Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi calls for nationwide strike, says he is preparing to return6Hindu man in Bangladesh dies after being humiliated, assaulted over only Rs 360 debtStory continues below this adPro-government armed civilians attend a protest demanding the release of President Nicolas Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores, the day after US forces captured and flew them to the United States, in Caracas, Venezuela. (Photo: AP)According to journalists and activists in Caracas, armed colectivos have been seen riding motorbikes through the capital and around checkpoints, while military and police patrols are active on major roads out of the city., as reported by The Guardian.State Department officials visited Caracas on Friday, in what US officials said were steps toward reopening the US embassy. Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, has called for better relations with Washington even after Maduro’s removal.AdvertisementAdvertisementLoading Taboola...