US President Donald Trump announced that Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country after the United States carried out a large-scale strike that has been sharply condemned by Iran and Russia.

The US military action on the Venezuelan capital of Caracas began on January 3 after months of ongoing pressure from Washington on the South American country.

Details are still emerging about the events, but US Senator Mike Lee said that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told him Maduro had been arrested by US forces to stand trial on criminal charges in the United States.

"He [Rubio] anticipates no further action in Venezuela now that Maduro is in US custody," Leewroteon X following a January 3 call with Washington's top diplomat.

Russia's Reiterates 'Solidarity' With Venezuela

The Russian Foreign Ministrycondemnedwhat it called an "act of armed aggression against Venezuela" by the United States, saying any "excuses" given to justify such actions were "untenable."

"We reaffirm our solidarity with the Venezuelan people and our support for the Bolivarian leadership's course of action aimed at protecting the country's national interests and sovereignty," said a statement from the ministry.

The ministry added that Latin America must "remain a zone of peace."

Venezuela is Moscow's most important partner in Latin America and has provided diplomatic backing and levels of military support for Maduro's regime as he has faced international and domestic pressure over contested elections and an ongoing economic crisis.

"Venezuela must be guaranteed the right to determine its own destiny without any destructive, let alone military, interference from outside," the Russian statement said.

Iran Calls Out 'Gross Violation'

Iran, another key ally of Venezuela, condemned the US military attack, according to Iranian state outlet Press TV.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry said the alleged attack violates Venezuela's sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as the UN charter, Press TV reported.

"The US military aggression against an independent state that is a member of the United Nations is a gross violation of regional and international peace and security, the consequences of which will affect the entire international system," the ministry said.

Neither Moscow nor Tehran has commented on Maduro's capture.

The Venezuelan government has not confirmed Maduro's capture, but Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said his whereabouts and those of First Lady Cilia Flores are unknown. In televised comments, Rodriguez demanded proof of life from Washington and said that the attack killed officials, military personnel, and civilians across the country.