The announcement was made through a social media statement, providing local phone contacts as well as the contacts for Portugal’s Emergency Consular Office.
“As part of its ongoing commitment to support the Portuguese community residing in Venezuela, the Consulate-Generals of Portugal in Caracas and Valencia have made available channels for urgent situations, reaffirming the Portuguese State’s dedication to protecting and assisting its citizens,” the statement directed to the Portuguese community in the Latin American country explained.
The notice further clarified that these contacts are “intended exclusively for proven urgent situations to ensure an effective and timely response from the consular services.”
“For other matters, like information requests or service scheduling, the usual consular service channels should be used (…). It is recommended that Portuguese nationals residing in Venezuela keep their contact information updated to ensure effective and timely communication with Portuguese consular services whenever necessary,” the same text specified.
The communication provided the emergency contact for Portugal in Caracas as +58 414-466 53 50 and the email cg*******@*ne.pt.
Phone contacts for the consulate in Valencia +58 412-0405565 and +58 414-484 35 41 were also provided, along with the email va******@*ne.pt.
Portuguese citizens can also contact the Emergency Consular Office through the numbers +351 217 929 714 and +351 961 706 472 or by using the email ge*@*ne.pt.
Last week, the Consulate-Generals of Portugal in the Venezuelan cities of Caracas and Valencia announced the launch of communication channels via WhatsApp to distribute information of interest to the Portuguese community residing in the country.
“New communication channel: The Consulate-General of Portugal in Caracas now has a new communication channel directed exclusively to the Portuguese community within this jurisdiction,” announced the diplomatic representation on Instagram.
On Instagram, the Consulate-General of Portugal in Valencia also encouraged Portuguese nationals to join the WhatsApp channel to receive important information more quickly.
Both consulates also issued a message urging Portuguese citizens to contact travel agencies and airlines for information on recently canceled flights.
“Given the current uncertainty concerning the cancellation of flights to and from Venezuela, all citizens with scheduled travel are advised to contact their respective airline and/or travel agency for information regarding their flights and potential alternatives,” they explained.
The Consulate-General of Portugal in Valencia further advised the Portuguese community to stay attentive to publications from the Portuguese Embassy in Caracas and both consular representations to address other issues.
The country hosts a significant community of Portuguese and Portuguese-descendants. In 2019, estimates indicated around 300,000 people.
On November 21, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States recommended “extreme caution” when flying over Venezuela and the southern Caribbean due to what it described as a “potentially hazardous situation” in the region.
Several airlines, including TAP, then suspended their flights to the country.
The Venezuelan government subsequently decided to revoke the operation licenses of TAP, Iberia, Avianca, Latam Colombia, Turkish Airlines, and Gol, accusing them of joining “terrorist acts” promoted by the United States.
These actions occur in a context of growing tension between Venezuela and the United States.
Under the pretext of combating drug trafficking, Washington has maintained a naval and air deployment in Caribbean waters near Venezuela since September, mobilizing the world’s largest aircraft carrier to the region.
On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump even mentioned the possibility of ground attacks in Venezuelan territory as part of the fight against drug cartels.
Today, Trump warned that Venezuela’s airspace should be considered “completely closed,” a declaration that Caracas condemned and labeled a “colonialist threat.”
