Norway, Sweden Warn Citizens Against All Non-Essential Travel to Venezuela

Both the Norwegian and Swedish Foreign Ministries have officially issued severe travel advisories, warning their citizens against all non-essential travel to Venezuela. This directive is a direct response to the volatile and rapidly escalating tensions between the government of Nicolás Maduro and the United States, which have significantly worsened the security landscape in the region. The warnings underscore global concern that the military and diplomatic brinkmanship could lead to unpredictable security events, endangering foreign nationals.
Escalating Security Risk Profile
The advisories from Oslo and Stockholm reflect a global consensus among Western nations regarding the extreme danger of travel to Venezuela, now compounded by the threat of military conflict. The risks cited in most travel warnings include:
* Military Activity: The US has dramatically increased its military presence in the Caribbean as part of its counter-narcotics operation, which President Trump has threatened to expand to land-based operations inside Venezuelan territory. This heightens the risk of accidental conflict or collateral damage.
* Arbitrary Detention: There is a well-documented high risk of arbitrary detention and wrongful arrest of foreign nationals, including dual citizens, often on politically motivated charges such as espionage or terrorism. Venezuelan authorities frequently fail to notify foreign governments of detentions, severely limiting consular access.
* Crime and Instability: Beyond geopolitical tensions, Venezuela continues to grapple with one of the world’s highest rates of violent crime, political instability, severe shortages of essential goods, and a collapsing health infrastructure.
Border and Airspace Concerns
The Norwegian and Swedish warnings follow President Trump’s recent order declaring Venezuelan airspace “closed in its entirety.” This command has led to a near-total cessation of international civilian flights to and from the country, severely complicating exit and entry logistics.
Furthermore, the advisories are often strictest for border regions. Foreign governments strongly warn against traveling near the borders with Colombia, Brazil, and Guyana, where armed criminal groups and drug traffickers are highly active. .
The issuance of these new advisories sends a strong signal to Norwegian and Swedish nationals to depart immediately if they are currently in Venezuela, as any contingency plans must not rely on consular assistance, which is severely limited due to the unstable environment and the lack of diplomatic relations between Venezuela and many Western countries. The move highlights the view that the situation has transitioned from a severe political crisis to one carrying a clear and immediate military risk.