China and others call on US to release captured Venezuelan leader

China has called on the United States to immediately release Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The Chinese foreign ministry strongly condemned what it called the U.S. use of force against Venezuela and urged Washington to stop attempts to topple the Venezuelan government.

Other countries, including North Korea, also denounced the reported U.S. capture of Maduro. Pope Francis urged an end to violence and respect for Venezuela's sovereignty following the event.