How safe is it for an American to travel to Caracas, Venezuela?

I would say it is as unsafe (maybe more) as any other major city of the US (i.e. Los Angeles, Miami, Houston).

There have been 20,000 homicides in Venezuela during 2009. Each Monday, journalists provide the number of homicides during the weekend. Most of these homicides happen in dangerous zones, working class, or shanty towns of major cities, where most of the gangs and bad guys live.

To me, Venezuela, has two or three major attractions: La Gran Sabana, where you find the astonishing and amazing "tepuyes". You can do hiking here. You can also do climbing in the Roraima mountain. If you prefer beaches, you can go to Los Roques, an archipealago of islands where you can get by air only and where you can do sea kayaking. Fortunately, all these places are far away from the major cities and you will be relatively safe because these are tourist areas. You have to be careful in the major cities. Here (in the major cities); don't show any sign of luxury or posessions that may call the attention of robbers (i.e. watch, cell phone, camera, camcorder, wallet, etc)

Also, be aware that there is an exchange control of foreign currency. When you arrive to the airport, you will be approached by people offering you to buy'sell dollars or Venezuelan currency. Don't even pay attention to them. Use official taxi cabs from the company that operates at the airport. Do this also at your hotel. Never use a freelance taxi cab.

In addition to that, you are aware that a leftist government is in power and the president, Hugo Chavez, has an anti-American speech; therefore, his followers don't like anything American, except the dollars that come from the US through the sale of their oil.

In general, Venezuelan people are friendly, but they don't live from tourism, so don't expect good or special treatment.

Travel To Caracas

Airlines from other latin american countries: LACSA, Lan Chile, Avianca, Aero Peru, Santa Barbara, Lufthansa, KLM. Depending where you are departing from. It is dangerous, yes... its important to go accompanied by a local, Hire a personal guide, using a reputable traveling agency, if you know nobody there. Most airlines do travel to Caracas from Miami. The most popular from Miami are American, Lan Chile, Santa Barbara.

Caracas is the most dangerous city in the world, as measured in homicides per capita.

Worse than Gaza or Baghdad. There are no spectacular bombings, but handguns can do wonders these days.

It doesn't sound really safe, but on the other hand is is not on the Travel Warning list from the Department of State.

If it's dangerous for venezuelan even more for americans, you are not very loved over there, just look at their president