LUYAO, LOVELY GIRL S.

PEREZ, IRENE O.
10/18/24
THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD- BSHM1B

TITLE: HIGH-RISK TRAVEL IN VENEZUELA

Venezuela is a country located at the northern end of South America. Many tourists attract from
across the globe with its incredibly stunning natural wonders and sights, also tourists will attract
because of rich natural resources and beauty just like the waterfalls, national parks and Three
world heritage sites.

While its natural beauty and rich culture may seem appealing, the country is currently facing
severe political, economic, and security challenges, making it one of the riskiest places for
tourists.

Traveling Venezuela is not good all the time if the high risk of wrongful, maybe it is a detentions,
terrorism, kidnapping, crime of local laws and poor health infrastructure.

THESIS STATEMENT:
This paper argues that Venezuela presents significant risks for tourists, including high crime
rates, political instability, a collapsing healthcare system, and widespread shortages of basic
goods, all of which contribute to a dangerous travel environment.

BODY 1

Venezuela is facing a serious rise in violent crime. Killings, robberies, and kidnappings have
become everyday problems. Cities like Caracas, Maracaibo, and Valencia are particularly
dangerous. The boldness of gangsters and the weak response from the police create a really
unsafe environment.

Kidnappers often go after foreigners, thinking they can ask for bigger ransoms. Even in your
own home, criminals might break in and rob you. So if you’re thinking about visiting, it’s best to
leave valuables at home and avoid walking alone, especially at night. If you look wealthy and
foreign, you could easily become a target. This is why many countries have issued travel
warnings traveling there can be very risky.

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BODY2

Venezuela has seen a lot of unrest, which is a big reason for its severe political instability. Since
Hugo Chavez and Nicolas Maduro were in power, protests have been common, and many
elections are seen as rigged, with harsh crackdowns on dissent.

Protests can quickly turn violent. The police and military often respond with tear gas, rubber
bullets, and water cannons to break up gatherings. When they resort to these tactics, it shows
just how serious the situation has become. Roadblocks and highway closures often happen
during these protests, making travel difficult. Demonstrations can pop up out of nowhere,
leading to sudden road closures, so you might get stuck in chaotic situations.

It’s tough to plan a trip to Venezuela because things can change fast. One day a place could
feel safe, and the next, it could be a hotbed of protests. With countries like the U.S. supporting
Juan Guaidó, political tensions can make locals feel hostile towards foreigners.

BODY 3

Venezuela’s healthcare system is basically collapsing. It’s gotten to a point where there’s hardly
any reliable medical care left. If you get sick or hurt while you’re there, finding decent medical
help is incredibly tough. Hospitals lack basic supplies, medications, and even simple items like
band-aids. Many doctors and nurses have left the country because of these awful conditions.

If you’re a tourist and face a medical emergency, it’s really risky. You can’t count on getting
proper treatment or even finding a doctor who’s available to help you. Even in Caracas, the
capital, adequate healthcare isn’t guaranteed during emergencies. This means that even in the
larger cities, finding proper medical care can be a challenge.

If you plan to visit more remote areas, be ready for even bigger difficulties due to limited access
to doctors and medicines. If you have a chronic condition like diabetes or high blood pressure,
bring all your medications because finding replacements or good healthcare is almost
impossible. Diseases like malaria and dengue have come back because vaccines and
preventive care are in short supply. So, you need to be very cautious, especially considering the
limited medical services available.

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BODY 4

Venezuela’s economic crisis has hit hard, and people are struggling just to meet their basic
needs. There are widespread shortages of food, water, and fuel, and the cost of living has shot
up to crazy levels.

Gas shortages are so bad that you might have to wait days just to fill up your tank. Road trips
can be risky, and public transport isn’t much better. Power outages happen frequently, almost
every day, so be ready for that when you visit.

Money issues are another big problem. The demand for U.S. dollars and euros is skyrocketing
because people see them as more stable than the Venezuelan bolívar. But the official exchange
rate is far from what you’ll find on the market. This means tourists carrying cash can easily
become targets for scams or robberies. So, be super careful when you’re exchanging money,
especially with shady characters.

In short, life in Venezuela is incredibly tough right now due to the ongoing economic crisis.

CONCLUSION
Venezuela may attract visitors with its beautiful landscapes and rich culture, the reality is that it
poses serious risks for travelers. High crime rates, including kidnappings and robberies, make it
a dangerous place, especially in larger cities where police can’t always respond effectively.
Tourists need to be on their guard at all times.

The political scene is also unstable, with frequent protests and government crackdowns creating
unpredictable and potentially dangerous situations. Areas that seem safe can quickly change,
and political tensions might make locals less friendly toward foreigners.

Healthcare is another major issue. If you get sick or injured, finding decent medical care can be
incredibly difficult. Hospitals are short on supplies, and even basic treatment can be hard to
come by. This is especially concerning for anyone who has ongoing health issues, as they may
struggle to find the medications they need.

The economic crisis in Venezuela leads to shortages of food, fuel, and everyday essentials,
making travel complicated and stressful. With unreliable transportation and frequent blackouts,
getting around is a challenge.

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Considering all these factors high crime, political unrest, failing healthcare, and economic
struggles, Venezuela is not the safest choice for travelers right now. While its beauty and culture
are undeniable, the dangers far outweigh the potential rewards. For now, it’s best for travelers to
look elsewhere for their adventures.

REFERENCES

"Venezuela Travel Advisory"

https://www.tataaig.com/knowledge-center/travel-insurance/what-is-venezuela-famous-for

https://insightcrime.org/tag/kidnapping/

https://www.hrw.org/americas/venezuela

https://www.reuters.com/article/world/as-venezuelas-healthcare-collapses-pregnant-women-
girls-bear-brunt-of-crisis-idUSKCN1U32A

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cp3mvpm3933t

["Venezuela Travel Advisory"

[https://www.tataaig.com/knowledge-center/travel-insurance/what-is-venezuela-famous-for]

"InSight Crime"
[https://insightcrime.org/tag/kidnapping/](https://insightcrime.org/tag/kidnapping/]

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Human Rights Watch:
[https://www.hrw.org/americas/venezuela](https://www.hrw.org/americas/venezuela]

Reuters; [https://www.reuters.com/article/world/as-venezuelas-healthcare-collapses-pregnant-
women-girls-bear-brunt-of-crisis-idUSKCN1U32AR/]

[https://www.reuters.com/article/world/as-venezuelas-healthcare-collapses-pregnant-women-
girls-bear-brunt-of-crisis-idUSKCN1U32AR]

BBCNEWS [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cp3mvpm3933t](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/
topics/cp3mvpm3933t]