India issues advisory for its citizens after US strike on Venezuela: ‘Avoid all…’
US forces kidnapped Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores in an overnight operation and flew them out of the country under the pretext of strong attacks. The action comes after weeks of tensions between the United States and Venezuela over Trump’s accusations of drug trafficking and narcoterrorism.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal released the statement on X.
The Indian government on Saturday urged citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to Venezuela after the United States launched an attack on the Latin American country and captured its president Nicolas Maduro. In a daring night operation, US forces kidnapped Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and flew them out of the country under the pretext of powerful attacks. The action follows weeks of tensions between the United States and Venezuela over Trump’s accusations of drug trafficking and narcoterrorism against Maduro’s left-wing regime.
What did India say at the advisory meeting?
“Given the recent developments in Venezuela, Indian citizens are strongly advised to avoid all non-essential travel to Venezuela,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in an advisory late on Saturday. The ministry has also advised all Indians currently in Venezuela to “exercise extreme caution, restrict their movements and stay in touch” with the Indian embassy in the capital Caracas through their email id cons.caracas@mea.gov.in or emergency contact number +58-412-9584288. According to the Indian embassy website, there are approximately 50 non-resident Indians (NRIs) and 30 people of Indian origin in Venezuela.
What’s next for Venezuela?
In a statement following the attack, Trump said Maduro would be taken to New York, where he would be charged with drug trafficking and conspiracy to possess weapons against the United States. Trump also said the United States would “manage” Venezuela until there is a “safe passage.” The US president claimed that the purpose of the attack was to bring “dictator Maduro” to justice. But Trump’s critics around the world say the United States is acting by focusing on Venezuela’s massive oil reserves, the world’s largest and about a fifth of global reserves.
