The U.S. State Department and the U.S. Embassy in Caracas have issued an urgent advisory telling all American citizens and lawful permanent residents in Venezuela to leave the country “immediately” as the security situation continues to deteriorate.

In the alert posted Jan. 10, officials said that although some international flights have resumed, conditions on the ground remain highly unstable and potentially dangerous for U.S. nationals. 

The notice specifically referenced reports of armed pro-government militias, known locally as colectivos, establishing roadblocks on Venezuelan highways and inspecting vehicles for signs of U.S. citizenship or support for the United States.