(MENAFN) Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil on Tuesday accused John McNamara, the Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Colombia, of being responsible for the "kidnapping" of 33 Venezuelan children.

Gil stated on social media that McNamara "is the material author of this crime, directly responsible for maintaining this illegal and profoundly immoral situation." He emphasized that the children were "separated from their families in open violation of international law, human rights, and even their own laws."

Condemning the separation of families as "criminal, inhumane and outrageous," Gil called for the "unconditional" release of the children so they could be reunited with their families. His post included photos of the children and the statement, "Freedom for the kidnapped boys and girls!"

Venezuela has previously criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. In March, both countries agreed to resume repatriation flights aimed at returning Venezuelan migrants home as part of the government's Return to the Homeland Plan.

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