Venezuela Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Venezuela
US State Department Travel Advisory
Reconsider Travel
Updated March 19, 2026
Venezuela recorded 12.7 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2022, a rate that is high by global standards. That places Venezuela #32 of 195 countries by homicide rate, compared with the Americas average of 20.8 per 100,000 and a world average of 5.2. Homicide rates have fallen 77% over the past decade (from 54.4 in 2012). For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Venezuela at Level 3 of 4: Reconsider Travel.
Homicide Rate
12.7 /100k
Safety Rank
#164 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 3 of 4
Data Year
2022
Homicide Rate Trend (1990-2022)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide rates have fallen 77% over the past decade (from 54.4 in 2012). Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Venezuela Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Who Is Affected
In Venezuela, the homicide rate for men is 17.6× higher than the rate for women — 90.1 vs 5.1 per 100,000 (2017).
Homicide victims per 100,000 of each sex. Source: UNODC via World Bank.
Safety for Travelers
Summary of the current US State Department advisory for Venezuela:
The travel advisory level decreased to 3. The "Wrongful Detention," "Unrest," and "Other" risk indicators were removed. Areas of increased risk were added. Advisory summary was updated to reflect changes to U.S. embassy operations. Reconsider travel to Venezuela due to risk of crime , kidnapping , terrorism , and poor health infrastructure. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
Level 1
Exercise Normal Precautions
Level 2
Exercise Increased Caution
Level 3
Reconsider Travel
Level 4
Do Not Travel
About This Data
Homicide figures are intentional homicides per 100,000 people, compiled by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and published by the World Bank (indicator VC.IHR.PSRC.P5). Homicide is the most reliably comparable crime statistic across countries because definitions of other offences (assault, theft, robbery) vary widely between national legal systems and reporting practices.
Travel advisory levels are issued by the US Department of State and updated continuously. They reflect risks to travelers including crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health, and natural disasters — not only crime rates. Countries report crime data with different lags; the most recent available year is shown for each metric.
Venezuela Population & Demographics
Population of 28,405,543, growth trends, economy, and more.
Crime & Safety in Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Venezuela safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Venezuela at Level 3 of 4 (Reconsider Travel). Cited risks include wrongful detention. The homicide rate of 12.7 per 100,000 is high by global standards.
What is the crime rate in Venezuela?
Venezuela has an intentional homicide rate of 12.7 per 100,000 people (2022, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #32 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Venezuela?
Venezuela is currently at Level 3: Reconsider Travel. Advisory levels range from Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) to Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
How does crime in Venezuela compare to other countries?
Venezuela's homicide rate of 12.7 per 100,000 is above the world average of 5.2 and below the Americas average of 20.8.