India on Saturday issued a travel advisory urging its nationals to avoid all non-essential travel to Venezuela following a US military operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
In an advisory issued late Saturday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, “In view of recent developments in Venezuela, Indian nationals are strongly advised to avoid all non-essential travel to Venezuela.” The ministry also asked Indians currently in the country to exercise extreme caution.
“All Indians who are in Venezuela for any reason are advised to exercise extreme caution, restrict their movements, and remain in contact with the Indian Embassy in Caracas,” the advisory said. The MEA shared the embassy’s contact details, including an emergency phone number and email address, for assistance.
The advisory follows a US military operation in Caracas amid months of heightened tensions between Washington and Caracas. The United States has accused Maduro of involvement in drug trafficking, allegations he has consistently denied. The US has also carried out multiple air strikes in waters near Venezuela in recent months.
Despite the dramatic developments, there was no formal diplomatic response from the Indian government commenting on the US action or the political situation in Venezuela beyond the advisory to its citizens.