India voices deep concern over developments in Venezuela, calls to deal issues peacefully
By Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON- India on Sunday expressed deep concern over the developments in Venezuela, its first reaction to the US action in Venezuela and called to address issues through dialogue and ensuring peace in the region.
The Ministry of External Affairs reacted cautiously said, ‘’recent developments in Venezuela are a matter of deep concern. We are closely monitoring the evolving situation.’’
New Delhi said India reaffirms its support to the well-being and safety of the people of Venezuela.
“We call upon all concerned to address issues peacefully through dialogue, ensuring peace and stability of the region,’’ it added.
The MEA said the Embassy of India in Caracas is in contact with members of the Indian community and will continue to provide all possible assistance.
India issued a advisory asking Indian nationals to avoid all non-essential travel to Venezuela in view of recent developments there.
“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 through their email id: cons.caracas@mea.gov.in or the emergency phone number +58-412-9584288 (also for WhatsApp calls),’’ the MEA said in a statement.
The official sources said India is still assessing all facts relating to the security situation in Venezuela arising from pre-dawn US airstrikes targeting key military installations, including the Fuerte Tiuna military complex in Caracas.
US President Donald Trump confirmed that American forces had conducted a “large-scale strike” and announced the ‘’capture’’ and removal of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
It is learnt that India is weighing its options against the backdrop of the strain in its ties with the US and its consistent support for a rules-based global order, respect sovereignty and territorial integrity of every country.
The Left parties issued a joint statement strongly condemning what they described as US military aggression against Venezuela and the alleged “kidnapping” of President Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, called it a blatant violation of international law and an attack on the sovereignty of a nation.
In the statement, the Left parties said the actions of the United States amounted to a “direct assault on a sovereign country” and were in “clear violation of the United Nations Charter.”
They alleged that recent remarks by US President Donald Trump had exposed the real motive behind the aggression.
“We strongly denounce and condemn the US aggression against Venezuela and the kidnapping of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. This is an attack carried out against a sovereign nation in blatant violation of the UN Charter,” the statement said.
The joint statement was issued by CPI (M) General Secretary M A Baby, CPI General Secretary D Raja, CPI (ML) Liberation General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, All India Forward Bloc General Secretary G Devarajan, and Revolutionary Socialist Party General Secretary Manoj Bhattacharya.
