• Several South Asian countries advise their nationals in Venezuela to stay vigilant, monitor developments

ISTANBUL

Indonesia on Saturday called for de-escalation and dialogue following US strikes against Venezuela, and stressed the importance of international law and principles.

Jakarta continues to closely monitor developments in Venezuela to ensure the safety of its citizens, a statement by Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry said on US social media company X.

“Indonesia also calls on all relevant parties to prioritize peaceful resolution through de-escalation and dialogue, while prioritizing the protection of civilians,” the statement added.

“Indonesia emphasizes the importance of respecting international law and the principles of the UN Charter,” the statement added.

Separately, the Malaysian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Kuala Lumpur is closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela.

“As a matter of principle, Malaysia opposes all forms of foreign intervention in the internal affairs of other states, as well as the threat or use of force,” the statement said.

Earlier, Venezuela’s government accused the US of attacking civilian and military installations in multiple states, and declared ‌a national ‌emergency.

On his social media platform Truth Social, US President Donald Trump confirmed conducting a "large-scale" strike, saying Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife have been captured and flown out of the country.

The attacks came after months of tension with the US, which accused Maduro of being involved in drug trafficking. Maduro denied being a cartel leader and had expressed readiness to hold talks.

Separately, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung instructed officials to ensure the protection of South Korean nationals in Venezuela and to prepare evacuation plans if necessary, according to Yonhap News.

China’s Foreign Ministry and the Chinese Embassy in Venezuela issued a statement, advising Chinese citizens to temporarily refrain from traveling to Venezuela, according to Global Times.

Chinese nationals and institutions currently in Venezuela are advised to closely monitor the local security situation, strengthen safety precautions and emergency preparedness, and avoid unnecessary outings, the statement said.

The Philippines also advised its citizens in Venezuela to stay vigilant, monitor the developments, and remain indoors, according to the Philippine News Agency.

Separately, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it has immediately set up a local response headquarters at the Embassy of Japan in Venezuela, adding that Tokyo will continue to take all possible measures to gather information and protect Japanese nationals.

India also asked its nationals "to avoid all non-essential travel to Venezuela," in view of "recent developments."