Venezuela: US Consulate in Maracaibo temporarily closed from July 13

Event

The US Embassy in Caracas announced on Friday, July 13, that the US Consulate in Maracaibo (Zulia state) is closed until further notice. Though no reason was given for the consulate closure, electricity rationing in Maracaibo has notably caused widespread power outages and sparked demonstrations in recent days. As of Monday, July 16, it was unclear when the US Consulate in Maracaibo would be reopened.

Context

In the first half of 2017, Venezuela was shaken by four months of violent anti-government protests, coinciding with ongoing political, economic, social, and health crises. Significant unrest also broke out in 2014 following the last presidential elections and again in early 2016. All told, hundreds of people have been killed during protests - many by security forces who have repeatedly been accused of excessive use of force - with thousands more injured and arrested. While the incidence of protests has fallen significantly in recent months, the potential for further large-scale demonstrations and associated violence persists.

Advice

US citizens in Maracaibo or elsewhere in Venezuela needing routine or emergency services should contact the US Embassy in Caracas. Individuals in Venezuela are advised to strictly avoid all protests and political events due to the high likelihood of violence and to keep abreast of the sociopolitical climate.