MOSCOW, November 5. /TASS/. The United States abducted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in order to gain control of the country that has large oil reserves, a senior Russian lawmaker said.

"It is obvious that he was not kidnapped to resolve some criminal issue in international relations. He was kidnapped to gain control over Venezuela, and let me remind you that Venezuela has the world's largest oil reserves - it is number one. It's clear that this is a very compelling story," Konstantin Kosachev, deputy speaker of Russia’s Federation Council, or upper house of parliament, told TASS.

On January 3, the United States attacked civilian and military facilities in Caracas. Trump confirmed the attack on Venezuela. He also said that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife had been captured and taken out of the country. On January 5, the couple appeared before the US Federal Court for the Southern District of New York, where they face charges of alleged involvement in drug trafficking. Both have pleaded not guilty. Vice President Delcy Rodriguez was sworn in as Venezuela’s authorized president on January 6.