Caracas, Jan. 16 -- Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodriguez on Thursday stated that the US had invaded and kidnapped its former President Nicolas Maduro and the First Lady, Cilian Flores, calling the operation a "stain on relations" between the two countries and saying it must be resolved through diplomacy.

Addressing the National Assembly in her first major annual speech since assuming leadership, Rodriguez said the US military operation that resulted in Maduro's capture and transfer to the United States has damaged bilateral ties.

"They invaded and kidnapped President Maduro and the First Lady. It is a stain on the relations between the United States and Venezuela, and we said that we were going to resolve that stain diplomatical...