WASHINGTON, United States, Jan 11, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The US State Department on Saturday urged Americans in Venezuela to leave the country "immediately," citing risks from armed militias searching vehicles for US citizens at roadblocks.

"The security situation in Venezuela remains fluid," the department said in a security alert, one week after the country's leader Nicolas Maduro was captured by US forces in a lightning raid.

"As international flights have resumed, US citizens in Venezuela should leave the country immediately," it said, warning of armed militias called colectivos searching cars for Americans or evidence of US support.