New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Saturday issued a travel advisory urging Indian nationals to avoid all non-essential travel to Venezuela in view of the rapidly evolving security situation in the South American country.
In its advisory, the MEA also asked Indians currently residing in Venezuela to exercise extreme caution, restrict their movements, and remain in close contact with the Indian Embassy in Caracas. The ministry shared emergency contact details, including a helpline number +58-412-9584288 (also available on WhatsApp) and the email cons.caracas@mea.gov.in
, for immediate assistance.
“In view of recent developments in Venezuela, Indian nationals are strongly advised to avoid all non-essential travel. Those currently in the country are advised to exercise extreme caution and remain in contact with the Embassy of India in Caracas,” the MEA said.
The advisory comes amid a sharp escalation in tensions following reports that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured in Caracas during a joint operation involving intelligence agencies and US law enforcement and subsequently flown out of the country.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump claimed that Maduro and Flores had been indicted in the Southern District of New York on charges related to alleged drug trafficking and narco-terrorism conspiracies. Trump said the arrests were carried out during a US military operation, with American forces working alongside law enforcement agencies.
“No nation in the world could achieve what America achieved yesterday,” Trump said, adding that Venezuelan military capabilities were rendered powerless during the operation that led to the capture of Maduro and Flores, who he said would now face American justice.