Islamabad (TDI): Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) on Sunday said it is actively working to safeguard the welfare of Pakistani citizens in Venezuela, following the US military operation that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.
In an official statement, the FO expressed concern over the rapidly evolving situation in Venezuela and emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to the well-being of all residents in the country. The statement called for restraint and de-escalation, urging that any resolution of the crisis adhere to the principles of the UN Charter and international law.
“Islamabad is closely monitoring developments and remains engaged to ensure the safety and security of the Pakistani community currently in Venezuela,” the FO added.
Following the US operation, Maduro and his wife were flown to New York and held in custody. Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has assumed the role of interim leader with the approval of Venezuela’s top court, though she has stated that Maduro remains the country’s president.
Read More: US Strikes Venezuela, Trump Announces Capture of Maduro and His Wife
US President Donald Trump told reporters that Washington would “run” Venezuela temporarily until a political transition could be safely implemented. He also indicated that American oil companies would be allowed to operate in the country to access Venezuela’s vast crude reserves.
Read More: US Warns UN It Will Cut Off Resources to Venezuela’s Maduro
However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio sought to clarify the administration’s position, stressing that the US was not pursuing regime change. In a television interview, Rubio said the operation targeted drug traffickers, not Venezuela itself, and that Washington was prepared to work with the country’s interim leadership and cabinet.
