New Delhi, India, January 7 (ANI): Reacting to the US strike on Venezuela, former Indian diplomat Dnyaneshwar Mulay described the action as “fairly unprecedented” in recent times, noting that all South American nations have condemned the operation.
“This is fairly unprecedented in the recent past… Unilateral action by force has been taken by the United States in the past. If the reports are to be believed, President Trump has also said he will have to take action against other countries, like Colombia, Mexico, and more. There is very strong condemnation on the Latin American side except for one or two countries. All of them have condemned it, including Brazil, which is a major country in South America,” Mulay told ANI.
He added that India typically refrains from taking sides in such matters, given its strong relations with both Venezuela and the United States. “We have expressed concern, but India does not generally take sides… It is really a choice of independent decision-making. India does not want to take sides in this. We have had good relations with Venezuela, and we have a very strong strategic partnership with the USA. India is keeping a close watch on the evolving situation,” he said.
The remarks come after the United States launched a strike on Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The couple is currently in US custody at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn, New York, and pleaded not guilty on Monday to charges related to drugs and weapons.
Meanwhile, Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, announced seven days of national mourning following deaths reported during the US attack in Caracas and the capture of Maduro and Flores, CNN reported. She emphasized that Venezuela continues to be governed by its own government, rejecting US claims of requiring “full access” to the country.
“We are here governing alongside the people. The Government of Venezuela governs our country, no one else. There are no external agents governing Venezuela,” Rodriguez said during the installation of the Agro-Food, Fishing, Communal, and Industrial General Staff Commission, according to state-run Venezolana de Television (VTV).
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