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New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Sunday issued a travel advisory asking Indian citizens to avoid travelling to Venezuela unless absolutely necessary, following the US military operation in the country. In the advisory, the MEA said Indians currently in Venezuela should exercise extreme caution, limit their movement, and stay in regular touch with the Indian Embassy in Caracas.
“In view of recent developments in Venezuela, Indian nationals are strongly advised to avoid all non-essential travel to Venezuela,” the MEA said. “All Indians who are in Venezuela for any reason are advised to exercise extreme caution, restrict their movements, and remain in contact with Embassy of India in Caracas through their email id: cons.caracas@mea.gov.in or the emergency phone number +58-412-9584288 (also for WhatsApp calls),” it added.
The advisory comes after Venezuela was targeted in an overnight operation by US forces on Saturday, prompting the South American nation to declare a national emergency. The Venezuelan government condemned the attack, describing it as an “extremely serious military aggression”.
India has not issued any formal statement reacting to the unfolding developments in Venezuela. According to information available on the Indian Embassy’s website, around 50 non-resident Indians and approximately 30 persons of Indian origin are currently living in Venezuela.
After the US operation, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was brought to the United States and later indicted in New York on charges related to drugs and weapons. US President Donald Trump said at a news conference that Washington would run Venezuela until a “safe transition” takes place. He also stated that the United States would be “very strongly involved” in Venezuela’s oil industry during this period.
Trump claimed that the objective of the military action was to bring “dictator Maduro to justice”. However, critics of the US administration have alleged that the intervention was driven by Venezuela’s vast oil wealth, estimated at around 303 billion barrels—nearly one-fifth of the world’s known reserves.
