Canberra [Australia], January 4: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Sunday that his government is monitoring developments in Venezuela, calling for diplomacy to prevent escalation.
In a post on social media site X on Sunday morning, hours after the U.S. military launched strikes on Venezuela and reportedly captured President Nicolas Maduro, Albanese said that Australia urges all parties to support "dialogue and diplomacy in order to secure regional stability and prevent escalation."
He said that Australia has long held "concerns about the situation in Venezuela" and supports international law and a peaceful, democratic transition in the South American nation.
Updated advice for Australians issued on Sunday by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Smartraveller service advised citizens against traveling to Venezuela.
It said that the security situation is unpredictable and may worsen.
Any Australian already in Venezuela is advised to ensure they have enough supplies, including food, water, and medicine, and to consider leaving if it is safe to do so.
Source: Xinhua News Agency
