WorldRisk

Which passport do you hold?

Risk to a traveller depends on their nationality. A country that sanctions your destination, or is sanctioned by it, changes how you are treated on arrival. Choosing here adjusts every score on the site.

We hold travel advice written for four nationalities so far. Selecting anything else shows the neutral baseline, and every page says so where it applies rather than presenting it as an assessment made for you.

Kept in your browser only. Nothing is sent anywhere, and you can change it at any time from the header.

All countries

Venezuela

76Extreme76 of 100, Extreme band, 75 to 100good confidence(7/7 dimensions)
What this score means
Extreme75 to 100
Severe and systematic. Device search, interception and detention over online activity are documented rather than theoretical. Reconsider what you carry and what you say.
High50 to 74
Substantial and consistently evidenced measures. Device inspection, monitored networks or restricted services should be expected rather than treated as unlikely.
Caution25 to 49
Some risk, and manageable with precautions. Measures are evidenced but are narrow, inconsistently applied, or the picture is mixed.
Low0 to 24
Ordinary precautions. No systematic device search, network restriction or prosecution of visitors for online speech is evidenced.

Government travel advice is written for one citizenry, so the same country carries a different assessment depending on your passport. Change it in the header.

Showing the baseline, which weights every issuer equally. No government in our corpus publishes travel advice written for you, so this is not addressed to you specifically.

Dimensions

Each dimension is scored independently, because the traveller who cares about legal exposure for what they have posted is often not the one carrying client data. Higher means more risk.

Surveillance and interception

How comprehensively are communications intercepted, retained, and monitored, and is commercial spyware in use?

99Extreme99 of 100, Extreme band, 75 to 100

good confidence6 independent sourcesEvidence is ageing: contributing sources are weighted at 69% of full strength.

Why this score (7 sources)

  • Freedom House 2026 scored VEN 0 of 4 on freedom to express personal views on sensitive topics without fear of surveillance or retribution.

    Freedom House, Freedom in the World · observed 2026-01-01

  • V-Dem Digital Society Project 2025 scored VEN 1.08 of 4 on how comprehensively the government monitors social media and private online communication, where higher is freer.

    V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, Digital Society Project · observed 2025-12-31

  • V-Dem Digital Society Project 2025 scored VEN 2.02 of 4 on how far privacy protection law shields communications from government access, where higher is freer. This measures what privacy law permits rather than what monitoring is practised, so it is read here as a constraint on interception rather than a measurement of it.

    V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, Digital Society Project · observed 2025-12-31

  • The World Justice Project Rule of Law Index 2025 scored VEN 0.03 of 1 on whether freedom from arbitrary interference with privacy is effectively guaranteed, a measure built from expert assessments of warrantless interception of communications.

    World Justice Project, Rule of Law Index, sub-factor 4.6 · observed 2025-01-01

  • The press workers’ union documented that, during the detentions, security officials searched journalistic equipment, forced journalists to unlock their mobile phones, and reviewed calls, messages, and activity on messaging platforms and social media.

    Committee to Protect Journalists, via a site scoped search · observed 2026-01-06 · extracted by language model

  • During the detentions, security officials searched journalists' equipment, compelled them to unlock their mobile phones, and reviewed or deleted content from messaging applications and social media platforms.

    CIVICUS Monitor country updates · observed 2026-01-23 · extracted by language model

  • International human rights groups have raised concerns about the increasing authoritarianism of the Maduro government with widespread surveillance of its citizens and arbitrary detention of political opponents.

    Index on Censorship, via a site scoped search · observed 2024-11-29 · extracted by language model

Report an inaccuracy (corrections need a link to the reporting, statute or research that shows it).

3 excluded sources
  • Access Now feed, observed 2021-07-01: aged out after 5 years.
  • Global Voices (Advox), via a site scoped search, observed 2024-08-19: aged out after 2 years.
  • Access Now feed, observed 2021-07-01: aged out after 5 years.

Speech and legal exposure

What legal risk attaches to what I have said online, or say while I am there?

86Extreme86 of 100, Extreme band, 75 to 100

good confidence8 independent sources

Why this score (12 sources)

  • Freedom House 2026 scored VEN 0 of 4 on freedom to express personal views on sensitive topics without fear of surveillance or retribution.

    Freedom House, Freedom in the World · observed 2026-01-01

  • Freedom House 2026 scored VEN 1 of 4 on free and independent media.

    Freedom House, Freedom in the World · observed 2026-01-01

  • V-Dem Digital Society Project 2025 scored VEN 2.58 of 4 on how routinely the government censors political content on social media, where higher is freer.

    V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, Digital Society Project · observed 2025-12-31

  • V-Dem Digital Society Project 2025 scored VEN 1.06 of 4 on how often people are arrested for political content they posted online, where higher is freer.

    V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, Digital Society Project · observed 2025-12-31

  • Venezuela - Level 3: Reconsider Travel

    US Department of State, Travel Advisories · observed 2026-06-27 · written for USA nationals

  • FCDO advice for Venezuela: avoid_all_travel_to_parts, avoid_all_but_essential_travel_to_parts.

    UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Foreign travel advice · observed 2026-10-14 · written for GBR nationals

  • Venezuela: Avoid all travel

    Global Affairs Canada, Travel advice and advisories · observed 2026-10-13 · written for CAN nationals

  • Venezuela: Teilreisewarnung: partial travel warning in force

    Auswärtiges Amt, Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise · observed 2026-09-03 · written for DEU nationals

  • Nakary Mena Ramos, reportera de Impacto Venezuela, fue detenida arbitrariamente en abril de 2025 y acusada de “delitos de odio” y de “publicación de noticias falsas” tras realizar un reportaje audiovisual.

    Our translation: Nakary Mena Ramos, a reporter for Impacto Venezuela, was arbitrarily detained in April 2025 and accused of “hate crimes” and “publication of false news” after making an audiovisual report.

    CIVICUS Monitor country updates · observed 2026-02-18 · extracted by language model

  • During the first four days after his detention, authorities did not disclose Díaz’s whereabouts, denied him access to a lawyer of his choice and later charged him with “incitement to hatred” and “terrorism”, offences frequently used against government critics.

    CIVICUS Monitor country updates · observed 2026-01-23 · extracted by language model

  • Protests demanding that the state acknowledge the opposition’s legitimate win followed, and with them a swathe of arrests and detentions during random street searches by police looking for content on people’s phones that criticised the government.

    Index on Censorship, via a site scoped search · observed 2025-05-01 · extracted by language model

  • El 9 de diciembre de 2025, las autoridades migratorias venezolanas negaron la entrada al país y expulsaron del aeropuerto internacional Simón Bolívar a los periodistas argentinos Nicolás Monafó y Adrián Salonia, y al cámara Sebastián Solís.

    Our translation: On 9 December 2025, Venezuelan immigration authorities denied entry to the country and expelled Argentine journalists Nicolás Monafó and Adrián Salonia, and cameraman Sebastián Solís, from Simón Bolívar International Airport.

    CIVICUS Monitor country updates · observed 2026-02-18 · extracted by language model

Report an inaccuracy (corrections need a link to the reporting, statute or research that shows it).

6 excluded sources
  • Global Voices (Advox), via a site scoped search, observed 2024-08-19: aged out after 2 years.
  • Committee to Protect Journalists, via a site scoped search, observed 2024-09-16: aged out after 2 years.
  • Colombia One, via a site scoped search, observed 2024-08-09: aged out after 2 years.
  • Committee to Protect Journalists, via a site scoped search, observed 2023-09-14: aged out after 3 years.
  • Global Voices (Advox), via a site scoped search, observed 2024-04-30: aged out after 2 years.
  • Committee to Protect Journalists, via a site scoped search, observed 2024-03-07: aged out after 3 years.

Border device risk

How likely is my device to be searched, imaged, or seized at the border, and can I be compelled to unlock it?

84Extreme84 of 100, Extreme band, 75 to 100

good confidence7 independent sources

Why this score (8 sources)

  • Freedom House 2026 scored VEN 0 of 4 on due process in civil and criminal matters.

    Freedom House, Freedom in the World · observed 2026-01-01

  • Venezuela - Level 3: Reconsider Travel

    US Department of State, Travel Advisories · observed 2026-06-27 · written for USA nationals

  • FCDO advice for Venezuela: avoid_all_travel_to_parts, avoid_all_but_essential_travel_to_parts.

    UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Foreign travel advice · observed 2026-10-14 · written for GBR nationals

  • Venezuela: Avoid all travel

    Global Affairs Canada, Travel advice and advisories · observed 2026-10-13 · written for CAN nationals

  • Venezuela: Teilreisewarnung: partial travel warning in force

    Auswärtiges Amt, Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise · observed 2026-09-03 · written for DEU nationals

  • The press workers’ union documented that, during the detentions, security officials searched journalistic equipment, forced journalists to unlock their mobile phones, and reviewed calls, messages, and activity on messaging platforms and social media.

    Committee to Protect Journalists, via a site scoped search · observed 2026-01-06 · extracted by language model

  • Luis Carlos Vélez, de Univision Noticias, relató que los agentes comprobaron sus documentos de identidad, registraron sus teléfonos y borraron material periodístico antes de liberarlos.

    Our translation: Luis Carlos Vélez, of Univision Noticias, reported that the agents checked their identity documents, searched their phones and deleted journalistic material before releasing them.

    CIVICUS Monitor country updates · observed 2026-02-18 · extracted by language model

  • Media reports indicated that officials from migration and counterintelligence bodies held them incommunicado, seized their passports, mobile phones and work equipment, and prevented any communication with their employer.

    CIVICUS Monitor country updates · observed 2025-11-22 · extracted by language model

Report an inaccuracy (corrections need a link to the reporting, statute or research that shows it).

Encryption and VPN legality

Are VPNs and strong encryption lawful, and can I be required to install an application or hand over keys?

74High74 of 100, High band, 50 to 74

moderate confidence1 independent source

No law or enforcement action was found restricting the use of a VPN or strong encryption here. The score below is drawn from general indicators for this country rather than from anything observed about this risk, so it describes an absence of reports rather than evidence that the risk is absent.

What the score rests on (1 indirect source)

  • V-Dem Digital Society Project 2025 scored VEN 0.85 of 4 on whether the government regulates the internet in a way consistent with international human rights standards, where higher is freer. This does not establish whether encryption or VPN use is lawful. It measures internet regulation in general, and is used as indirect evidence because the only survey that reads encryption law directly was published in 2019.

    V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, Digital Society Project · observed 2025-12-31

Report an inaccuracy (corrections need a link to the reporting, statute or research that shows it).

Connectivity continuity

How likely am I to lose access to the internet, or to the specific tools I depend on?

72High72 of 100, High band, 50 to 74

good confidence12 independent sourcesEvidence is ageing: contributing sources are weighted at 69% of full strength.

Why this score (65 sources)

Report an inaccuracy (corrections need a link to the reporting, statute or research that shows it).

5 excluded sources
  • Access Now feed, observed 2024-08-29: aged out after 2 years.
  • Global Voices (Advox), via a site scoped search, observed 2024-08-19: aged out after 2 years.
  • Committee to Protect Journalists, via a site scoped search, observed 2024-09-03: aged out after 2 years.
  • Colombia One, via a site scoped search, observed 2024-08-09: aged out after 2 years.
  • Derechos Digitales, via a site scoped search, observed 2018-07-01: aged out after 8 years.

Network threat

How hostile is the network environment to a foreign visitor, from state actors and criminals alike?

59High59 of 100, High band, 50 to 74

good confidence4 independent sources

Why this score (4 sources)

  • ITU Global Cybersecurity Index 2024, Technical pillar: 4.56 of 20.

    International Telecommunication Union, Global Cybersecurity Index · observed 2024-12-31

  • Freedom House scored Venezuela 8 of 25 on obstacles to access in Freedom on the Net, a category covering state control over internet infrastructure and gateways, regulatory and ownership control over service providers, and the independence of the regulator.

    Freedom House, Freedom on the Net, obstacles to access · observed 2025-01-01

  • Venezuela’s state-run oil company Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) said a recent cyberattack has impacted its administrative system.

    The Record feed · observed 2025-12-16 · extracted by language model

  • その反面、フィッシング詐欺やショッピングサイトを利用した売りつけ詐欺が増加している等、犯罪の内容が変化しています。

    Our translation: On the other hand, the nature of crime is changing, with phishing scams and selling scams using shopping websites increasing.

    Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Overseas travel safety information · observed 2026-10-16 · written for JPN nationals · extracted by language model

Report an inaccuracy (corrections need a link to the reporting, statute or research that shows it).

Data jurisdiction

What happens to corporate or client data I carry into the jurisdiction?

49Caution49 of 100, Caution band, 25 to 49

moderate confidence1 independent source

Why this score (1 source)

Report an inaccuracy (corrections need a link to the reporting, statute or research that shows it).

Trend

02550751002026-08-162026-10-16

The overall score is up 2.8 points over 61 days, from 73.3 to 76.1. Most movement is the event overlay decaying rather than anything happening: a news signal loses half its weight every three weeks, so a score drifts back toward its structural baseline on its own. A step that holds is the one worth reading.

Check this yourself

These are not inputs to the score for Venezuela. They are where to look if you want to test what is above against something we did not use.

Sources

This assessment draws on 21 sources: Access Now feed; Auswärtiges Amt, Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise; Caracas Chronicles, via a site scoped search; CIVICUS Monitor country updates; Committee to Protect Journalists, via a site scoped search; Confidencial, via a site scoped search; Freedom House, Freedom in the World; Freedom House, Freedom on the Net, obstacles to access; Georgia Tech Internet Intelligence Lab, Internet Outage Detection and Analysis; Global Affairs Canada, Travel advice and advisories; Global Voices (Advox), via a site scoped search; Index on Censorship, via a site scoped search; International Telecommunication Union, Global Cybersecurity Index; Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Overseas travel safety information; Multiple, via Google News, Google News search results; Open Observatory of Network Interference, OONI measurement data; The Record feed; UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Foreign travel advice; US Department of State, Travel Advisories; V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, Digital Society Project; World Justice Project, Rule of Law Index, sub-factor 4.6. Every contributing claim is quoted with its origin and date above. Model version 0.12.0, computed 2026-10-16.

If something here is wrong, say so. Corrections are handled in public, and we correct because the evidence is wrong, not because someone objects.