The Nepal government has said it is closely following recent developments in Venezuela and urged all parties concerned to exercise maximum restraint.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said actions that could further escalate tensions should be avoided. Nepal underscored the need to fully respect the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of states, as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. The ministry said disputes must be resolved peacefully through dialogue, diplomacy and mutual understanding.

The comment comes as the situation in Venezuela has sharply escalated after a surprise United States military operation early this month. US forces carried out strikes in Venezuela and captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, detaining them on drug trafficking charges.

The capture triggered international concern, with the United Nations Human Rights Office saying the action undermined core principles of international law and made the world “less safe.”

Following Maduro’s removal, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as interim president with support from the Venezuelan armed forces, and Venezuela’s state oil company PDVSA said it was negotiating oil sales with the United States, Reuters reported.