India, Jan. 16 -- Venezuela's acting PresidentDelcy Rodriguez has strongly accused the United States of invading the country and forcibly taking away former President Nicolas Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores. She called the operation a serious blow to ties between the two nations and said the issue must be settled through diplomatic means.

Rodriguez made these remarks while addressing Venezuela's National Assembly, marking her first major annual speech since taking over as interim leader. She said the US military action that led to Maduro's capture and transfer to the United States has badly damaged bilateral relations.

"They invaded and kidnapped President Maduro and the First Lady. It is a stain on the relations between the United S...