Senior Congress leader and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan sparked controversy during a press conference in Mumbai on January 6, 2026, by drawing a parallel between recent events in Venezuela and potential implications for India amid discussions on US tariffs. Chavan questioned whether US President Donald Trump could "kidnap" Prime Minister Narendra Modi, similar to the reported capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by US forces the previous week. His remarks, made while criticizing the Indian government's stance on the Venezuela crisis, highlighted concerns over international norms and sovereignty, stating that the incident violated the UN Charter and could set a dangerous precedent for other nations, including India.

The context stems from the dramatic events in Venezuela, where Maduro and his wife were detained by US special forces on December 30, 2025, amid escalating tensions over disputed elections and economic sanctions. Chavan's comments were part of a broader critique of the Modi government's foreign policy, accusing it of being "scared of Americans" and failing to condemn the action strongly. He emphasized the gravity of an elected leader being "kidnapped," warning that such interventions could erode global democratic principles, and urged India to take a firmer position against what he described as unilateral US actions.

In response, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) swiftly condemned Chavan's statements as reflective of an "anti-India mindset." BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari took to X to lambast the Congress, accusing it of sinking to new lows by comparing India's stable democracy to Venezuela's turmoil. Bhandari claimed the opposition, led by Rahul Gandhi, was inviting foreign intervention and seeking chaos in the country, further escalating the political rhetoric between the ruling party and the opposition.

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This exchange underscores the heightened political tensions in India as the nation navigates complex international relations under the second Trump administration, including ongoing trade disputes and tariffs. While Chavan's remarks have drawn support from some opposition figures for raising sovereignty issues, they have also fueled debates on responsible political discourse, with the BJP portraying them as unpatriotic ahead of upcoming state elections.

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