India (Commonwealth Union)_ India said on Sunday that the fast-moving developments in Venezuela were a matter of deep concern and that it was watching the situation closely. The statement came a day after US special forces carried out a late-night operation in Caracas and detained Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. In a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi stressed that its primary focus was the safety and well-being of ordinary Venezuelans.
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India urged all parties involved to seek a peaceful solution through dialogue and restraint, warning that instability could further harm the region. “India reaffirms its support for the well-being and safety of the people of Venezuela,” the ministry said. “We call upon all concerned to address issues peacefully through dialogue, ensuring peace and stability in the region.” The ministry also said that the Indian Embassy in Caracas was in touch with members of the Indian community living in the country. It added that the embassy would continue to provide all possible assistance as events unfold.
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The US action followed months of mounting pressure on the Maduro government. On Saturday, US President Donald Trump announced that American forces had launched what he described as “Operation Absolute Resolve,” a major military strike that led to the capture of Maduro and his wife. The couple was taken to New York, where they are expected to face charges linked to drug trafficking and narco-terrorism. Trump said the United States would oversee Venezuela until a formal transition of power could be completed. The operation effectively ended Maduro’s 12-year rule. He had long been wanted by US authorities, who had announced a reward of 50 million dollars for information leading to his arrest.
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Soon after the operation, Trump shared images online showing Maduro in custody aboard a US naval vessel in the Caribbean. From there, Maduro and Flores were flown to New York to face further legal proceedings. Trump later said he followed the operation closely from his Mar-a-Lago residence, comparing it to watching a live television broadcast. Venezuela’s opposition figures reacted quickly to the dramatic turn of events. Opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado said on social media that Venezuela’s “hour of freedom” had arrived. She called for the opposition’s candidate from the 2024 election to immediately take charge of the country. Trump, however, dismissed suggestions that Machado herself would lead the transition, claiming she lacked sufficient support within Venezuela.
A day earlier, India had issued a travel advisory urging its citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Venezuela and asking those already there to remain extremely cautious. At the time, New Delhi had not commented on the rising US military pressure. Sunday’s statement marked India’s first official response to the operation and Maduro’s detention. Unlike some countries that criticized the US action, India avoided naming Washington or condemning the move. Analysts say it reflects New Delhi’s effort to balance diplomacy amid trade tensions.
