More international reaction now, as both China and Iran – who are allies of Venezuela – call for the release of Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores.
China’s foreign ministry says the US’s actions are “a clear violation of international law and basic norms governing international relations” and that it is monitoring the security situation in Venezuela closely.
It also calls on Washington to “cease efforts to subvert the Venezuelan government and resolve issues through dialogue and negotiation”. The ministry made similar calls at the weekend.
Iran, a close ally of Venezuela, says the pair were abducted.
“It’s nothing to be proud of; it’s an illegal act,” foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei says, according to AFP.
“As the Venezuelan people have emphasised, their president must be released.”
Iran has also been threatened by Donald Trump in the last week, with the president warning the US would intervene if peaceful protesters are killed.
Several deaths have been reported and his words were described as “reckless and dangerous” by Iran’s foreign minister.
SOURCE: BBC NEWS
