India asks its citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to Venezuela

New Delhi: India on Saturday night advised its nationals to avoid all non-essential travel to Venezuela after the US captured the South American country's President Nicolas Maduro and his wife in a military operation.

The Ministry of External Affairs also asked all Indians who are in Venezuela to exercise extreme caution and restrict their movements.

The US carried out the military assault on the Venezuelan capital Caracas after consistently accusing Maduro of being involved in drug trafficking. The president of the oil-rich country had stridently denied the charge.

US troops have taken Maduro and his wife to the US. Venezuela declared a national emergency after the US action.

"In view of recent developments in Venezuela, Indian nationals are strongly advised to avoid all non-essential travel to Venezuela," the external affairs ministry said.

"All Indians who are in Venezuela for any reason are advised to exercise extreme caution, restrict their movements, and remain in contact with the Embassy of India in Caracas," it said.

The ministry asked the Indians to get in touch with the embassy through phone number +58-412-9584288 (also for WhatsApp calls) and email ID cons.caracas@mea.gov.in.

There are around 50 Non-Resident Indians and 30 Persons of Indian Origin in Venezuela, according to the embassy in Caracas.

The US action has triggered political uncertainty in the South American country, with many leading powers, including Russia and China, slamming Washington for the operation and capture of Maduro and his wife.

Hours after the operation in Caracas, Trump posted a photo of Maduro aboard the US warship USS Iwo Jima.

Maduro has been brought to New York, where he will face charges relating to supporting drug cartels, according to US authorities.

Trump said at a news conference that the US will run Venezuela until a transition of power can take place. "We're going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition," he said.

The US president also said that the "extremely successful" operation should serve as a warning to anyone who would threaten American sovereignty or endanger American lives.

India has not yet reacted to the US action.