T

he government is looking at the option of evacuating its citizens from Venezuela as well as employees of its embassy there amid a deteriorating political situation ahead of a critical vote that may end democracy for good in the Latin American country.

The Foreign Ministry called on Friday a special meeting in Jakarta to prepare a contingency plan for when the crisis in Venezuela deepens, spokesperson Arrmanatha Nasir revealed, saying the option of evacuation was on the table.

He said the ministry had been closely following the developments in Venezuela, making intensive reports about the violence raging on the streets.

Reuters previously reported that another seven people had been killed during the latest opposition-led strike against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s planned election for a powerful new Constituent Assembly on Sunday.

The assembly would have power to rewrite the constitution and shut down the existing opposition-led legislature, which the opposition maintains would cement dictatorship in Venezuela.

Over 100 people have died in anti-government unrest since April, when the opposition launched protests demanding conventional elections to end nearly two decades of socialist rule.

“The [Indonesian Embassy in Caracas] is still open despite all of its shortcomings,” Arrmanatha told a press briefing in Jakarta on Friday.

According to ministry data, there are currently 63 Indonesians residing in the oil-rich country.