India has expressed "deep concern" regarding the recent capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, by the United States. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated on Sunday that it is closely monitoring the evolving situation in Venezuela and has reaffirmed its support for the safety and well-being of the Venezuelan people.
The MEA's statement emphasized India's commitment to the peaceful resolution of issues through dialogue, with the aim of ensuring peace and stability in the region. "India reaffirms its support to the well-being and safety of the people of Venezuela. We call upon all concerned to address issues peacefully through dialogue, ensuring peace and stability of the region," the official statement read.
The capture of Maduro occurred during a US military operation in Caracas, which the US administration, under former President Donald Trump, described as a crackdown on "narco-terrorism". Maduro was subsequently flown out of Venezuela.
In light of these developments, the MEA has issued a travel advisory for Indian nationals, strongly advising them to avoid all non-essential travel to Venezuela. Indian citizens currently in Venezuela have been urged to exercise extreme caution, restrict their movements, and maintain close contact with the Indian Embassy in Caracas. The embassy can be reached via email at cons.caracas@mea.gov.in or via the emergency phone number +58-412-9584288. According to the embassy's website, there are approximately 50 non-resident Indians and 30 people of Indian origin in Venezuela.
The situation has also sparked reactions from Indian political figures, with some expressing concerns over the US's actions and alleging breaches of international law. Shashi Tharoor, a Member of Parliament, stated that the UN Charter and international law are being increasingly disregarded. Abhishek Manu Singhvi, another Congress leader, described the US's actions as a regression to imperialism. Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC emphasized India's historical ties with Venezuela and the importance of diplomatic relations with Latin America.
Geopolitical experts have warned that India could face the aftermath of the Venezuela crisis, considering India's history of importing oil from the Latin American country. While bilateral trade between India and Venezuela amounted to $6,397 million in 2019-20, it decreased to $431 million in 2022-2023.
China has also responded to the situation, calling for the immediate release of Maduro and urging the US to resolve the situation through dialogue and negotiation. Russia has also urged the United States to release Maduro and his wife.
