An 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.”

Source: Indian Express January 11, 2026 06:54 UTC