Venezuela blames U.S. official for "kidnapping" children

CARACAS, July 29 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil on Tuesday blamed John McNamara, Chargé d'Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Colombia, for "kidnapping" 33 Venezuelan children.

McNamara "is the material author of this crime, directly responsible for maintaining this illegal and profoundly immoral situation," Gil said in a post on social media.

The children were "separated from their families in open violation of international law, human rights, and even their own laws," said the official.

He denounced the practice of separating families as "criminal, inhumane and outrageous," calling for the "unconditional" release of the children so they can be reunited with their families.

"Freedom for the kidnapped boys and girls!" Gil said in the message, which included photographs of the children.

Venezuela has denounced U.S. President Donald Trump's crackdown on immigration.

In March, the two countries agreed to resume repatriation flights to bring Venezuelan migrants back to their home country as part of the government's Return to the Homeland Plan. ■