22 July 2008: Radio station fired upon following threats

10 July 2008: Journalist Assaulted

17 June 2008: RCTV journalist stabbed to death

03 June 2008: Newspaper executive slain in Caracas

26 May 2008: Newspaper photographer assaulted by municipal police

06 March 2008: Television camera operator beaten by Aragua police for filming their assault of demonstrating taxi driver

19 February 2008: Radio journalist beaten by crowd

15 February 2008: Protestors assault journalists in Valencia

29 November 2007: Anti chavist students attacked VTV journalist

13 November 2007: Five Journalists Assaulted During Demonstrations

04 June 2007: Media Crews Attacked during Demonstration

31 August 2006: Photojournalist Assaulted by Police

29 August 2006: Venezuelan columnist shot to death in front of home

14 April 2006: Ex-Police Officer Arrested in Photographer's Murder

05 April 2006: Photographer Killed

30 March 2006: Newspaper Owner Murdered

08 November 2005: Journalists Threatened During Demonstration in Maracay

07 November 2005: Protesters Hold "El Siglo" Crew Hostage

07 November 2005: Demonstrating Students Attack Four TV Crews

22 July 2005: Community television journalists assaulted during demonstration in Caracas

20 June 2005: Molotov cocktail on daily leaves offices in flames

24 May 2005: Journalists Go Through War Training

10 December 2004: New "wave of violence" against the media

08 March 2004: Demonstrators continue to target the media

03 March 2004: IFJ Calls on Venezuelan Political Groups to Ensure Safety of Journalists As Political Violence Rises

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

Latest articles on Venezuela from Reuters Alertnet

10 January 2006: Frenchman kidnapped in Venezuela

Click here to go to the Crisis Watch page

Latest Report from the International Crisis Group
Venezuela: Political Reform or Regime Demise? (23 July 2008)
Venezuela: Hugo Chávez’s Revolution (22 February 2007)
General Security Information
Terrorism/Security
You should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners. A handful of terrorist incidents took place in Caracas in early 2003 (these involved small improvised explosive devices). These incidents were related to the internal political situation. You should exercise vigilance and be especially wary of suspect packages and parcels.

Terrorist and narcotic gangs are active in regions bordering Colombia, where there is a risk of kidnapping.

PRACTICAL INFO

Basic Facts

Capital
Caracas

Language
Spanish is the official and predominant language. Some 31 indigenous languages are also spoken.

Ethnic Groups
Venezuelans are descended from the integration of indigenous peoples, Afro-Caribbean and European settlers. Indigenous peoples and Afro-Caribbeans each account for less than seven percent of the population.

Religion
Predominantly Catholic (93 percent)

Local Laws and Customs
Drug trafficking is a serious problem in Venezuela. Arrests for drug trafficking is common and convictions lead to severe penalties, including long delays being held on remand prior to sentencing and lengthy prison sentences (usually ten years) in harsh and dangerous conditions in Venezuelan jails. Many prisoners carry firearms and violence is common. No additional protection is given to foreign nationals. Do not handle illicit drugs.

Crime
There is a constant risk of street crime (often armed), especially in Caracas and other cities. Budget hotels can be found in the safer areas such as Chacao, La Castellana and Altamira. It is not advisable to visit barrios, as many of these are heavily populated slums with very high crime rates.

There have been instances of robbery and assault after tourists’ drinks were spiked with potent disorienting drugs. You should also avoid the offer of pamphlets in the street or major shopping centres, as there have been incidents of these having been impregnated with similarly potent and disorienting drugs, which permeate the skin.

In most of Caracas outside the Los Chorros/Sebucan/Los Palos Grandes/Altamira/La Castellana/Country Club districts and residential parts of Baruta there is a high threat of crime, especially at night. It is risky to walk alone, especially after dark. People carrying large amounts of money, wearing valuable watches or jewellery or using mobile phones in the street are especially vulnerable. Car jacking is also a problem by day and night. Car-jackers tend to target expensive-looking vehicles, especially 4x4s. You should not resist if you are subject to an armed hold-up.

“Express kidnappings” (kidnappings for immediate financial gain) occur in Caracas and other cities. The victims are usually deliberately targeted rather that selected at random. You should remain aware of who is around you at all times, and avoid appearing conspicuously wealthy.

There have been cases of violent attacks against British and other foreign nationals around the country, though the motive is normally economic rather than because of any anti-foreign feeling.

Key Expressions

• I am a journalist: Soy periodista

• Can you help me?: Me puede ayudar

• I need a doctor: Un doctor, por favor

Useful Information

Time Zone
GMT -4

Climate
Variable with altitude from tropical to temperate, with high temperatures throughout the year. Rainy season between April-October.

Telephone dialling code
(+) 58

Currency
The currency is Bolivar. Strict currency controls remain in place in Venezuela. It is best to obtain local currency where possible before travelling. Bureaux de change, including at the airport, will exchange US dollars for bolivares, as will major hotels. Some banks (e.g. Banco Mercantil) will buy US dollars for Bolivares or sell bolivares against a foreign credit card. Dollar travellers' cheques are accepted at all Italcambios offices.

In most towns and all major cities, credit cards are accepted. However, some visitors have experienced problems withdrawing cash from ATMs. There is also a serious problem with credit card fraud and cards being "cloned".

Travel

Visa Requirements
If you are arriving by air, you can enter for up to 90 days on a tourist card issued before arrival by the airlines. You should have a valid return ticket with you. You must not overstay the 90 days as you may be arrested and fined when departing. Extensions of up to 60 days can be arranged at any DIEX (Department for Foreigners of Ministry of Interior) office on payments of a fee plus presentation of passport, tourist card, photograph and return ticket.

You should ensure that your passport has at least six months validity. If you are arriving overland, you need to obtain a visa from a Venezuelan consulate.

Driving (Left/Right)
Right

Road Safety
It is possible to drive in Venezuela with your local driving licence for up to one year. After a year in Venezuela it is necessary to obtain a Venezuelan driving licence. You should ensure you have copies of insurance documents, driving licence and passport with you at all times. Failure to produce documents can result in the vehicle being seized by the police. There are regular police and National Guard checkpoints throughout the country. You should stop if asked to do so. There have been many reports of attempts by the police and National Guard to extract money for spurious reasons. In such cases you may consider asking for a written record giving the basis of the offence and also the penalising officer’s details. This may act as a deterrent to unscrupulous individuals.

All vehicles must carry a spare tyre, wheel block, jack wrench and special reflector triangle. In general the main roads in Caracas and to the interior are good. The quality of other roads is variable, but on some routes potholes are left unrepaired and a four-wheel drive is recommended.

Many vehicles are in poor condition and driving under the influence of alcohol is common, especially during weekends. In the event of an accident, both vehicles must remain in the position of the accident until a Traffic Police Officer arrives (unless no one has been injured and both parties have agreed liability). Otherwise the vehicles should not be moved, however badly traffic may be blocked. Insurance companies are unable to pay claims on vehicles that have been moved without a Traffic Police accident report.

Drivers routinely ignore red lights, especially at night.

Air Safety
In December 2004, the Venezuelan National Civil Aviation Institute suspended all international flights to six airports: Caracas (Metropolitan), Charallave, Coro, Cumaná, Maturin, and Puerto Cabello. It is no longer possible to enter or leave the country at these airports.

Visiting tourist destinations in Venezuela can often involve flying in light aircraft. Safety standards are variable and there have been several significant accidents on the main tourist routes, including Margarita and Canaima/Angel falls within the last three years, two with fatal consequences. In general it is better to seek out established companies operating modern multi-engined aircraft. Local and International travel agents should be able to advise on whether or not the airline has a good safety record.

The EU has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the community. You should check the following link to see whether this will affect your travel: http://europa.eu.int/comm/transport/air/safety/flywell_en.htm

Sea/River Safety
There have been incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships and small vessels in and around Venezuela's waters. In March 2004, Venezuelan pirates forced a group of Trinidadian fishermen to abandon their fishing boat in the high seas off Trinidad, resulting in several deaths. Mariners are advised to take appropriate precautions. Small vessels such as private yachts should be aware of the risk of attack by criminals in coastal waters, particularly east of Puerto La Cruz, and should avoid the waters between Trinidad and Venezuela.

Local Travel
On 19 March 2006, a major bridge carrying the main motorway linking Maiquetia International Airport with Caracas collapsed. There is now an emergency relief road creating a two-kilometre route rejoining the motorway either side of the bridge. You should expect significant delays on this route, particularly at peak times, as the road is single lane in each direction. Delays could be extended during the rainy season (mid May to September) due to the risk of landslides. Alternative routes between the airport and Caracas are poor, overcrowded and insecure and transit times are lengthy. If possible, you should avoid using these routes at night. You should consult your tour operator or airline ahead of departure for further advice. You should allow for extra time on your journey to and from the airport.

There have been cases of passengers being robbed at gunpoint by bogus taxi-drivers at Caracas airport (Maiquetia) and being "express kidnapped", whereby the victim is robbed after having boarded the bogus taxi. You are advised not to board a taxi if there are other passengers already inside the car. It is best not to accept offers of assistance within the arrivals hall, only at the official taxi rank directly outside. If possible, you should arrange to be met by friends, business contacts, or tour operators. Only licensed taxis bearing a clearly identifiable number should be used. There is a taxi service using black Ford Explorers, often with tinted windows, which is widely regarded as being the most reliable.

When taking a taxi in Caracas or other towns/cities, it is advisable to use only white cars with yellow plates (or the Black Explorers at Caracas Airport). Hotels will normally book a taxi from a reputable company or supply their own limousine service.

Tourists have been robbed on public buses travelling from Puerto Ordaz airport to the city centre. This kind of bus, although cheap, can be risky throughout Venezuela - especially for tourists who normally give the appearance of being significantly better off than most of the local people.

Natural Disasters

During the rainy season, there is the possibility of flooding in certain low-lying areas of the country (e.g. the Llanos) and in some valleys in the Andes (Merida State). Various parts of Venezuela, including Caracas and the eastern state of Sucre, are vulnerable to earthquake though there have been no serious earthquakes for many years.

Health

We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.

There have been sporadic cases of Yellow Fever in a number of different states of Venezuela. Brazil and Panama require yellow fever vaccination certificates for people arriving from Venezuela. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is not a requirement to enter Venezuela, but there have been cases where officials have illegitimately fined travellers who have been unable to produce such a certificate. It might be advisable to travel with documentary evidence of vaccinations you have received and to check ahead with your airline for further advice.

Tap water is considered unsafe to drink unless it is first filtered or boiled. Bottled drinking water is available.

Diseases
Non-malarial mosquitoes and tropical parasite diseases are endemic. Cases of dengue fever are increasingly common. In the interior of the country precautions must be taken against malaria and yellow fever. You should seek medical advice on anti-malarial medication and take precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.

In March 2006, a localised outbreak of Measles (Sarampion) was confirmed in Greater Caracas (Libertador Municipality), in neighbouring Miranda, and in Nueva Esparta. Following this, it is compulsory for Venezuelan nationals and foreign residents to produce documentary evidence of having been vaccinated against measles (and also rubella) on leaving the country by air.

Medical supplies and facilities
When travelling in the interior of the country, especially more remote rural areas, you should be aware that ambulance services are not reliable and hospitals often lack adequate medical supplies and equipment. It is advisable to ensure you have contact details for nationwide ambulance services, such as ServiMedic Venezuela: Telephone 0212 395 27 03; e-mail: servimedicvzla@telcel.net.ve, who can help you get back to Caracas or other major cities in the event of an accident.

Landmines

The mine problem in Venezuela results from 1,074 antipersonnel mines laid by government forces around six naval posts along the border with Colombia (Atabapo, Cararabo, Guafitas, Isla Vapor, Puerto Páez and Río Arauca Internacional).

Colombian non-state armed groups are active in Venezuela’s border region, but Landmine Monitor did not receive any allegations of use of antipersonnel mines in 2004 or 2005 by them, or by peasants or landowners in this area.