US urges Americans to leave Venezuela 'immediately' due to risk

The US State Department on Saturday urged Americans in Venezuela to leave the country “immediately,” citing risks from armed militias searching vehicles for US citizens at roadblocks.

“The security situation in Venezuela remains fluid,” the department said in a security alert, one week after the country’s leader Nicolas Maduro was captured by US forces in a lightning raid.

“As international flights have resumed, United States citizens in Venezuela should leave the country immediately,” it said, warning of armed militias called colectivos searching cars for Americans or evidence of US support.

Venezuela was set to hold talks on Saturday with US envoys in Caracas on restoring diplomatic ties, days after US forces deposed Nicolas Maduro as its president.

Venezuela said Friday it had launched discussions with US diplomats in the capital, the latest sign of cooperation following the leftist leader’s capture and US President Donald Trump’s claim to be “in charge” of the South American country.

Officials said the United States envoys were in Caracas to discuss reopening the country’s embassy, while in Washington Trump met with oil companies over his plans to access Venezuela’s huge crude reserves.

The government of interim President Delcy Rodriguez “has decided to initiate an exploratory diplomatic process with the government of the United States of America, aimed at re-establishing diplomatic missions in both countries,” Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said in a statement.

John McNamara, the top US diplomat in neighboring Colombia, and other personnel “traveled to Caracas to conduct an initial assessment for a potential phased resumption of operations,” a US official said on customary condition of anonymity.

Venezuela said it would be reciprocating by sending a delegation to Washington.