Reuters AlertNet Lite - U.S. warns travel to Venezuela could be risky

Reuters AlertNet Full site

NEWSDESK

U.S. warns travel to Venezuela could be risky

01 Jun 2007 05:15:19 GMT
Source: Reuters

WASHINGTON, June 1 (Reuters) - The United States is urging its citizens to think twice about traveling to Venezuela, citing protests and political tensions over the closure of an opposition broadcaster in Caracas.

Nationwide demonstrations sparked by President Hugo Chavez's decision not to renew Radio Caracas Television's (RCTV) broadcast license continue and now students are calling for university strikes, the State Department said in an alert issued on Thursday.

Riot police were out in force near groups of demonstrators and near government buildings in Caracas and other major Venezuelan cities, the notice said, warning that "even demonstrations intended to be peaceful may turn violent."

"In light of the current circumstances, U.S. citizens are advised to consider the risks before traveling to Venezuela at this time," the State Department said.

RCTV's closure on Sunday has led to intermittent clashes between protesters hurling bottles and stones and police firing rubber bullets and tear gas.

The anti-U.S. Chavez has had a long-running feud with opposition television channels, which openly supported a bungled coup against him in April 2002.

AlertNet news is provided by

Email this article Send comments

Countries

Small country map
© 2004 Europa Technologies Ltd.

Reset map

• Venezuela profile
· View map

MORE >>

NGO latest

• Catholic Relief Services commends President's call to double PEPFAR funding
CRS - USA

• World Vision Lauds Bush Global AIDS Funding Proposal
WV - USA

• Catholic Relief Services urges Congress to preserve US long-term development food aid initiatives that fight chronic hunger
CRS - USA

• Red Cross Awards Charity for Relief Donations!
Children Intl - USA

• The forgotten of the forgotten: Recovering from Hurricane Rita
CWS

MORE >>

Latest news

• U.S. warns travel to Venezuela could be risky

• Fugitive TB patient asks for forgiveness

• China says some imported baby goods unsafe

• FACTBOX-Military deaths in Afghanistan

• Fitful storm Barbara downgraded off Mexico

MORE >>

Last updated:Fri Jun 1 05:17:00 2007