India has advised its citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to Venezuela following US missile strikes and the capture of President Nicolas Maduro. TheMinistry of External Affairs (MEA) issued the advisory on Saturday night and urged citizens in the country to maintain “extreme caution”. The guidance follows a rapidly evolving situation in the South American country after the US flew Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores out of Caracas to face trial in New York on drug-related charges. New Delhi has not yet commented on the situation, beyond the advisory for citizens.
Armed civilians roamed the streets of Caracas on Sunday as the country grappled with an abrupt power vacuum. Venezuela had declared a national emergency as missiles rained down on the capital city and US troops nabbed the President from his home. Donald Trump claimed during a subsequent press conference that the US would now “run the country” and tap its vast oil reserves to sell to other nations.
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MEA ask citizens to stay away
For Indians who are already in the country, the ministry has asked for heightened vigilance. As per a report by PTI, there are around 50 non-resident Indians and about 30 persons of Indian origin currently residing in Venezuela, indicating the importance of clear communication channels amid the political crisis.
“For all Indians who are in Venezuela for any reason, they are advised to exercise extreme caution, restrict their movements, and be in contact with the Embassy of India in Caracas,” the advisory added.
A specific contact points of the mission of Caracas has been shared. Indians have been advised to reach out via email (cons-carascas@mea.gov.in) or contact on emergency phone number +58-412-9584288 (also available for WhatsApp calls).
Advisory for Venezuela ⬇️
🔗 https://t.co/vz4hBkOhVx pic.twitter.com/hzJsL3WQBL
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) January 3, 2026
Why has a travel warning been issued?
The travel warning coincides with an overnight US operation in Caracas. Airstrikes were launched against four strategic sites within Caracas — including the Venezuelan military headquarters, and multiple airbases and ports. American forces also collaborated with intelligence and law enforcement agencies to captured Maduro and his wife, subsequently transporting them to the United States. The development has caused an outcry in the South American nation as Venezuelans were left wondering who remained in charge.
US operation against Maduro
While addressing a press conference in Florida, US President Donald Trumppraised the mission, stating, “No nation in the world could achieve what America achieved yesterday or frankly, in just a short period of time. All Venezuelan military capacities were powerless as the men and women of our military, working with the US law enforcement, successfully captured Maduro in the dead of the night.” He further added that “it was dark, and it was deadly, but he was detained along with his wife, Cilia Flores, both of whom now face American justice.”
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A post shared on X by Attorney Pamela Bondi mentioned that Maduro and Flores face several counts related to “drug trafficking and narco-terrorism conspiracies” in the Southern District of New York.
Maduro has been brought to New York to stand trial, and the US president has announced that, “We are going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition.” |
