The Indian government has issued a strong travel advisory for its citizens regarding Venezuela, urging them to defer all non-essential visits to the South American nation. This urgent advisory from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) comes in the wake of dramatic recent developments, including a large-scale military strike by the United States.
MEA's Urgent Advisory for Indian Nationals
The Ministry of External Affairs, in an official statement, has explicitly advised Indian citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to Venezuela. For those already present in the country, the directive is clear: exercise extreme caution, limit movements, and maintain regular contact with the Indian diplomatic mission.
"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," the MEA statement read. The ministry has provided crucial contact details for the embassy, including the email address cons.caracas@mea.gov.in and an emergency phone number +58-412-9584288, which also functions for WhatsApp calls.
Background: US Military Action and Political Upheaval
The advisory follows an extraordinary series of events that unfolded early Saturday. The United States carried out a significant military operation in Venezuela. In a stunning announcement made on social media, US President Donald Trump declared that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country. This action was the culmination of months of escalating pressure from Washington on the Maduro regime.
The development has sent shockwaves through the international community and triggered immediate political reactions within India.
Indian Political Reaction: Condemnation from the Left
The US action has drawn sharp criticism from Indian left-wing parties. The Communist Party of India (Marxist), or CPI(M), has strongly denounced the military strike. CPI(M) General Secretary M A Baby characterized the nighttime operation as an "act of international terrorism by US-led imperialism."
In a post on the social media platform X, Baby expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people and called upon party members to organize protests. "The bombing of Venezuela is an act of international terrorism by US-led imperialism. Trump’s claim of kidnapping President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, if true, is another blatant violation of international law," he stated.
In an official statement, the CPI(M) demanded an immediate end to US aggression and the withdrawal of all American troops from the Caribbean Sea. The party stated it "strongly condemns the blatant act of US aggression on Venezuela by bombing various sites in the country."
The situation remains fluid, and the Indian government's primary focus is on the safety and security of its citizens in the region. The travel advisory underscores the serious concerns regarding stability and security in Venezuela following these unprecedented events.
