The Chinese Foreign Ministry demanded that the United States immediately release Maduro.

Chinese authorities have called on the United States to immediately release Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, as well as ensure their personal safety. This was announced on January 4 in a statement by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

"The Chinese side calls on the American side to ensure the personal safety of President Maduro and his wife, immediately release them, and stop actions aimed at undermining state power in Venezuela," the ministry's website says.

Chinese diplomats stressed that problems should be solved exclusively through dialogue and negotiations.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry also noted that the US hegemonic actions against Venezuela threaten security in Latin America and the Caribbean region. The Chinese side called on Washington to comply with international law.

The abyss of captivity: how and why the United States captured the president of Venezuela

Washington's actions have been condemned in many countries around the world, and an unprecedented operation could result in a military confrontation in the region.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Celia Flores were captured and taken out of their country after the United States successfully launched a large-scale strike on Venezuelan territory on January 3. The plane with them landed in New York, from where they were taken under police escort to a detention center in Brooklyn.

The Russian Foreign Ministry called on the American leadership to release Maduro. US President Donald Trump later said that there was extensive evidence of Maduro's alleged crimes. In particular, according to him, the President of Venezuela personally supervised the activities of the Cartel de los Soles (Cartel of the Suns. — ed.), who was transporting drugs to the United States.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.