Belgian Defense Minister Franken criticized the United States in connection with Venezuela

The United States violated international law by attacking Venezuela and seizing President Nicolas Maduro. This was announced on January 7 by the head of the Belgian Ministry of Defense, Theo Franken.

"If you ask me if the norms of international law have been violated, I will answer in the affirmative," BelgaNews agency quoted him as saying.

ABC News TV channel, citing sources, noted on the same day that the US authorities are demanding that Venezuela's acting leader Delcy Rodriguez sever economic ties with China and Russia in order to be able to increase oil production. The White House told Rodriguez that the Venezuelan regime must comply with these requirements before it is allowed to increase oil production.

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.

On January 6, US President Donald Trump announced that the Venezuelan authorities would transfer from 30 million to 50 million barrels of oil to the United States for subsequent sale on the market. According to Trump, we are talking about high-quality sanctioned oil, which will be sold at a market price. The American leader will personally take control of the revenue.

The New York Times reported on January 4 that the death toll from the US attack in Venezuela had risen to 80 people. It was clarified that there are dead among both the civilian population and the military. Venezuela's interim president Delcy Rodriguez has declared seven days of mourning for the soldiers who died as a result of the US operation to capture Maduro.

On January 3, Trump announced that the United States had successfully launched a large-scale strike against Venezuela. He noted that the President of the republic, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife, Celia Flores, were captured and taken away from the territory of the state.

Maduro was taken to New York Federal Court on January 5 to face charges. In court, he declared his innocence and said that he was still the president of his country. The American court agreed to schedule a visit by consular officers to Venezuela. The judge ordered Maduro to appear in court on March 17 for a hearing.

On January 5, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres announced that the United States had violated international law in Venezuela. Guterres also noted that the future of Venezuela after the US operation remains uncertain and causes great concern.

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