Vietnam voices deep concern over Venezuelan situation, urges restraint

The foreign ministry's spokesperson Pham Thu Hang made the statement on Saturday in response to reporters’ questions about Vietnam’s position on the unfolding situation in Venezuela.

“Vietnam is deeply concerned about the ongoing developments in Venezuela and calls on all parties to respect international law and the United Nations Charter, including the principle of respecting the sovereignty of nations,” Hang said.

Vietnam also urges all parties to refrain from the use or threat of force in international relations, she stated.

Hang added that Vietnam encourages restraint, dialogue, and the peaceful resolution of disputes based on international law, in contributing to peace, security, stability, and cooperation both regionally and globally.

Amid the complex and tense situation in Venezuela, which could threaten the safety of Vietnamese nationals, the ministry on Saturday advised citizens to carefully consider traveling to the South American country.

Those already in the country were advised to avoid dangerous areas, monitor local information closely, and strictly follow travel regulations and warnings from the ministry’s Consular Department, the Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela, and other official channels.

Tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela have intensified in recent months as U.S. forces were deployed to the Caribbean Sea and off the coast of Venezuela, citing efforts to combat drug-related crime.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was detained and removed from Caracas following a large-scale operation.

On the same day, a plane carrying Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, landed near Stewart Air National Guard Base in New York, CNN reported.

Maduro was described as wearing gray clothing, handcuffed, and escorted by more than a dozen federal agents dressed in black.

U.S. officials told NBC News that he was expected to be flown by helicopter to a facility in New York for processing and transfer to the Metropolitan Detention Center.

He is scheduled to appear in court on Monday evening.

Earlier, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that Maduro and his wife would face ‘the full force of American justice’ on drug and terrorism charges.