External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar voiced significant concern regarding the rapidly evolving political and security crisis in Venezuela during an address at an official event in Luxembourg on January 7, 2026, underscoring India's historical goodwill toward the South American nation and advocating for all stakeholders to prioritize constructive dialogue in resolving the impasse.

Jaishankar directly referenced the Ministry of External Affairs' formal statement released the day prior, which articulated India's unease over the dramatic developments while reaffirming an unwavering focus on safeguarding the safety, stability, and overall well-being of the Venezuelan populace irrespective of the eventual political trajectory.

In light of heightened risks, the Indian government promptly issued a travel advisory strongly recommending that citizens refrain from all non-essential visits to Venezuela, simultaneously instructing those already in the country to maintain extreme vigilance, minimize unnecessary movements, and stay in regular contact with the Embassy in Caracas for ongoing support and guidance.

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The precipitating events trace back to a meticulously executed U.S. military operation launched on January 3, featuring targeted airstrikes in Caracas that facilitated the apprehension of then-President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores directly from their residence within a military compound, followed by their expedited transfer to the United States.

Upon appearance in a New York federal court on January 6, both Maduro and Flores entered emphatic not guilty pleas to grave charges encompassing narco-terrorism, cocaine importation conspiracy, and weapons-related offenses, with the former leader proclaiming himself a prisoner of war, vehemently rejecting accusations of orchestrating large-scale drug trafficking networks involving international cartels as fabricated pretexts for intervention aimed at Venezuela's abundant oil resources.

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