Nepal says it is closely following developments in Venezuela after US strikes

Kathmandu:  Days after the United States carried out military strikes in Venezuela and captured its president, Nepal on Wednesday said it is closely monitoring developments in the Latin American country.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said, “The Government of Nepal has been closely following the recent developments in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.” “Nepal calls upon all parties concerned to exercise maximum restraint and to avoid actions that may further escalate tensions,” the statement added.

On January 3, the US military launched a large-scale strike in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The couple were later transported to the United States, where they appeared in a federal court in New York on narcotics-related charges, according to US authorities.

The US government described the operation as targeting alleged drug trafficking and related criminal activity, while international observers and legal experts have raised questions about its legality and implications under international law. The current Sushila Karki government in Nepal, formed after the Gen Z protests in September, had faced criticism domestically for not issuing any response in the days following the US action in Venezuela.

In its statement, MoFA reiterated that Nepal underscores the importance of fully respecting the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence of states, as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. “Nepal emphasises that disputes should be resolved peacefully through dialogue, diplomacy and mutual understanding,” the ministry added.