CARACAS, May 27 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela on Tuesday issued a travel alert urging its citizens to avoid going to the United States, citing alleged human rights violations.

Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said on Telegram that Venezuelans in the United States risk deportation, family separation and arbitrary detention. He also accused Washington of using "migration blackmail" and fueling xenophobia.

The warning came hours after the U.S. State Department advised Americans and legal residents not to travel to Venezuela. ■