'Unpredictable': travel warning issued for Aussies after US strikes Venezuela

Australians are being warned to avoid travel to Venezuela and to leave immediately if they are already in the country, amid heightened safety concerns.

A state of emergency has been declared after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was captured by the US military and transported to New York under US guard following a military offensive in Caracas.

The alert issued by Smarttraveller on January 4 warned of the threat of violent crime, political and economic instability and the risk of arbitrary detention.

"The security situation is unpredictable and may worsen," the warning said.

Caracas as well as the states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira are identified as most under threat of violence.

Australia doesn't have an embassy or consulate in Venezuela after it was closed in October in a "strategic re-assignation of resources" by the Maduro administration as tensions between the US and Venezuela continued to escalate.

Australia is home to more than 6600 Venezuelan-born residents, with about 10,000 people of Venezuelan ancestry, according to the 2021 census.

Australians currently in Venezuela should consider leaving if safe to do so.

"There may be flight disruptions and airspace could close at short notice," Smarttraveller said.

"Contact your travel provider or airline for information on travel disruptions.

"Be prepared to shelter if you live there.

"Make sure you have enough supplies, including food, water and medicine."