(Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
(Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

The foreign ministry on Friday imposed a travel ban on parts of Venezuela amid political friction between its regime and the United States.

The ban -- the highest Level 4 of a four-tier travel warning system -- will take effect at 11 p.m. in the border states of Zulia, Tachira, Apure and Sucre, excluding their respective capitals and the eastern part of Zulia.

The rest of the country will remain under Level 3, which advises citizens to leave the area.

Under the law, those who visit or stay in areas under a travel ban without special permission can be punished. (Yonhap)