China calls on US to ‘immediately release’ Venezuela’s Maduro

China called on the United States to immediately release Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro after Washington carried out a strike on Caracas and captured the leader. The United States launched military attacks on Venezuela on Saturday, capturing President Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. They were detained in New York after being flown out of Caracas. Hours after the operation, President Donald Trump said the US would run Venezuela until there was a safe, proper and judicious transition. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Sunday called on the United States to ensure the personal safety of Venezuelan President Nicols Maduro and his wife and to release them immediately. The spokesperson said it is gravely concerned over the U.S. forcible seizure of Maduro and his wife and their removal from the country. "The U.S. move is in clear violation of international law, basic norms in international relations, and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter," the spokesperson said, urging the U.S. to stop efforts to overthrow the Venezuelan government and to resolve disputes through dialogue and negotiation.