The world was jolted on January 3 when the United States carried out a major military operation in Venezuela, named ‘Operation Absolute Resolve’. The strike resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The mission involved over 150 aircraft and special forces targeting military sites in Caracas. Following the operation, Maduro was flown to New York, where he is expected to face narco-terrorism charges.

The operation has sparked sharply divided reactions worldwide, exposing deep ideological rifts and raising serious questions about international law. Reactions have largely fallen into two camps: countries condemning the strikes as a violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty and those backing the action.

What is India’s position?

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has issued a statement on development in Venezuela on Sunday, January 4. In its statement, the ministry said, “Recent developments in Venezuela are a matter of deep concern. We are closely monitoring the evolving situation. India reaffirms its support to the well-being and safety of the people of Venezuela”.

Additionally, India urges all sides to resolve the situation peacefully through dialogue to maintain regional peace. 

“We call upon all concerned to address issues peacefully through dialogue, ensuring peace and stability of the region. The Embassy of India in Caracas is in contact with members of the Indian community and will continue to provide all possible assistance,” it reads.

On Saturday, India advised its citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to Venezuela after US forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. “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 in a late-night advisory.

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Indians currently living in Venezuela were asked to “exercise extreme caution, restrict their movements, and remain in contact” with the Indian embassy in Caracas through the email ID cons.caracas@mea.gov.in or the emergency phone number +58-412-9584288.

According to the Indian embassy’s website, around 50 non-resident Indians and about 30 people of Indian origin are currently living in Venezuela.

The critics: Russia, China and the Global South

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China expressed “deep shock,” describing the move as a “reckless use of force” that violates international law and threatens the peace of Latin America.

“China is deeply shocked by and strongly condemns the U.S.’s blatant use of force against a sovereign state and action against its president. Such hegemonic acts of the U.S. seriously violate international law and Venezuela’s sovereignty, and threaten peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean region. China firmly opposes it,” China MFA said in a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter).

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov voiced Russia’s “firm solidarity with the people of Venezuela in the face of armed aggression,” according to a statement issued by the foreign ministry after the conversation.

Brazil and Colombia, both neighbors of Venezuela, expressed serious concern over the developments. Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva described the strike as an “unacceptable line” and a “serious affront” to national sovereignty.

“The bombings on Venezuelan territory and the capture of its president cross an unacceptable line. These acts represent a most serious affront to Venezuela’s sovereignty and yet another extremely dangerous precedent for the entire international community,” Lula said in a post on X.

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Colombian President Gustavo Petro called for an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council.

“The Government of the Republic of Colombia observes with deep concern the reports of explosions and unusual aerial activity recorded in recent hours in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. As a preventive measure, the National Government has arranged measures to protect the civilian population, preserve stability on the Colombian-Venezuelan border, and promptly address any eventual humanitarian or migratory needs,” Petro wrote on X.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, “We urge all parties to support dialogue and diplomacy in order to secure regional stability and prevent escalation. We continue to support international law and a peaceful, democratic transition in Venezuela that reflects the will of the Venezuelan people”.

The supporters: Israel and Croatia

Several countries welcomed the action, pointing to Maduro’s lack of democratic legitimacy after the disputed 2024 elections. Israel welcomed the removal of a “dictator who led a network of drugs and terror,” expressing hope for a return to democracy. 

“Israel congratulates the operation of the United States, led by President Trump, who acted as the leader of the free world. In this historic moment, Israel stands with the freedom-loving Venezuelan people, who have suffered under the illegal tyranny of Maduro,” Gideon Sa’ar, Israel’s Foreign Minister said on X.

Croatia issued a statement backing the arrest, saying that Maduro’s regime did not have the legitimacy that comes from democratic elections.

“The situation in Venezuela has been marked for years by a deep political, economic, and institutional crisis, manifested in the seriously impaired functioning of state institutions, economic decline, human rights violations, and a severe humanitarian crisis that has triggered mass population migrations. Nicolás Maduro’s regime lacks the legitimacy arising from democratically conducted elections,” MFA Croatia said.

Praising the role of American troops in capturing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Saturday, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called the operation “the most sophisticated, complicated and successful of all time.”

“I saw the best of America. I saw men and women dedicating their lives to the country and to accomplishing that mission…It is incredible to be able to serve,” Hegseth said in an interview with American journalist Tony Dokoupil. 

“It can only be described as the most sophisticated, the most successful and the most complicated operations of all times,” the US official said.