Why in news?

The United States has captured Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s President, following a large-scale strike on Venezuela.

Trump said Maduro and his wife were flown out in a joint military operation with US law enforcement and have been charged in New York with drug and weapons offences.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Why Did the US Attack Venezuela?
• India’s Diplomatic Dilemma After US Action in Venezuela
• India–Venezuela Ties: Limited but Historic
• Global Reactions: Mixed Signals
• What Lies Ahead for Venezuela After US Intervention?

Why Did the US Attack Venezuela?

• The United States has cited migration, drugs, and “narco-terrorism” as the primary reasons for its action against Venezuela and President Nicolás Maduro.
• Migration Crisis Narrative
  • US President Donald Trump has repeatedly linked Venezuela to rising migration at the US southern border.
    • Since 2013, an estimated eight million Venezuelans have fled economic collapse and political repression, mostly to other Latin American countries.
  • Trump has accused the Maduro government of “emptying prisons and asylums” and forcing inmates to migrate to the US—claims rejected by Caracas as baseless.
• Drugs and ‘Narco-Terrorism’ Claims
  • Washington argues that Venezuela is a key transit route for cocaine and contributes to the US fentanyl crisis.
  • The US designated Tren de Aragua and Cartel de los Soles as Foreign Terrorist Organisations (FTOs).
  • Trump has alleged that the Cartel de los Soles is led by Maduro himself.
• Venezuela’s Response - The Venezuelan government denies all allegations, arguing that the US is weaponising the “war on drugs” to justify regime change rather than addressing migration or narcotics trafficking.

India’s Diplomatic Dilemma After US Action in Venezuela

• The announcement by Donald Trump about the US attack in Venezuela has placed India between Washington’s unilateral move and New Delhi’s long-standing support for a rules-based international order and non-intervention.
• India typically avoids commenting on distant conflicts. However, as a leading voice of the Global South, many countries expect India to underscore international law and sovereignty—creating pressure to respond, even as Delhi remains cautious.
• US–India Context: Trade Tensions Persist
  • India and the US are negotiating a bilateral trade deal amid strains following 50% US tariffs, including a 25% penalty linked to India’s purchase of Russian oil.
  • India has been tapering imports but feels singled out, as similar actions were not taken against China or Europe.
• MEA Advisory to Indians
  • The Ministry of External Affairs issued an advisory urging Indians to avoid non-essential travel, exercise caution, restrict movement, and stay in touch with the Embassy of India in Caracas.
  • Given muted reactions from major G-20 countries and ongoing US–India negotiations, New Delhi is not rushing a statement.

India–Venezuela Ties: Limited but Historic

• Energy-centric relationship: India once imported significant Venezuelan oil.
• Trade trend (decline post-US sanctions)
  • 2019–20: USD 6,397 million (imports USD 6,057 million)
  • 2020–21: USD 1,271 million (imports USD 714 million)
  • 2021–22: USD 424 million (imports USD 89 million)
  • 2022–23: USD 431 million (imports USD 253 million)
• High-Level Engagements Over the Years
  • 2005: President Hugo Chávez visited India; talks with PM Manmohan Singh.
  • 2012: Nicolás Maduro (then Foreign Minister) visited India for the India–CELAC Troika meet.
  • 2013: India sent Sachin Pilot (the then Minister of State for Corporate Affairs) to Chávez’s state funeral.
  • 2023: Venezuelan Executive Vice President Delcy Rodríguez visited India for the CII–LAC Conclave; met Nirmala Sitharaman and S Jaishankar.
• Low On-Ground Stakes, High Principles
  • India’s diaspora presence in Venezuela is small (fewer than 100 Indians).
  • Yet, the principle of sovereignty and concerns over US interventionism elevate the issue’s significance for India’s diplomacy.
  • While political stakes for India are limited, the normative stakes are high.
  • India is carefully balancing principle, pragmatism, and partnerships amid a volatile geopolitical moment.

Global Reactions: Mixed Signals

• Russia condemned the US move as an “act of armed aggression.”
• The European Union called for respect for international law and the UN Charter, urging restraint.
• Chile President Gabriel Boric expressed “concern and condemnation” of the “military actions of the US” and Colombian President Gustavo Petro expressed “deep concern”.

What Lies Ahead for Venezuela After US Intervention?

• US President Donald Trump said Washington would run Venezuela temporarily until a “safe, proper and judicious transition” is achieved.
• He dismissed opposition leader María Corina Machado as lacking support, despite her earlier call for Edmundo González Urrutia—whom her party claims won the 2024 election—to assume power.
• Trump indicated a strong economic dimension to the US role, saying American oil companies would move in to repair infrastructure, extract oil, sell it internationally, and recoup US costs, sharing revenues with Venezuelans.
• He did not rule out deploying US troops, signaling the possibility of a prolonged and force-backed transition.