India on January 3 advised its nationals to avoid all non-essential travel to Venezuela amid escalating political uncertainty following reports of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro being captured by the United States.
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) urged Indians currently in Venezuela to exercise extreme caution, restrict their movement and remain in constant contact with the Indian Embassy in Caracas. The advisory followed claims by US President Donald Trump that American forces had captured Maduro during a large-scale military operation in and around the capital, Caracas.
The MEA said Indian nationals in Venezuela should stay in touch with the embassy through its emergency contact details. Official estimates indicated that around 50 Non-Resident Indians and 30 Persons of Indian Origin were residing in the country.
The situation further escalated on January 4 after Venezuela’s Supreme Court directed Vice President Delcy Rodríguez to assume charge as acting president, citing Maduro’s “material and temporary impossibility” to perform his duties. The court said the move was necessary to ensure administrative continuity and national stability.
US authorities reportedly initiated steps to transfer Maduro to the Metropolitan Detention Center in New York to face charges linked to alleged support for drug cartels. The military action drew criticism from several countries, including Russia and China, which condemned Washington’s operation.
While initial reactions in Venezuela included celebrations by opposition leaders, uncertainty followed amid mixed signals from the US on future political support. Amid the unfolding developments, India issued the advisory citing concerns over safety and stability for its nationals in the country.
