Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil has accused John McNamara, Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy in Colombia, of being responsible for the alleged “kidnapping” of 33 Venezuelan children, according to Xinhua.

In a social media statement, Gil claimed the children were unlawfully separated from their families, calling the act a violation of international law and human rights. He described the situation as “criminal and inhumane,” demanding their immediate and unconditional release.

The accusation comes amid strained relations between Venezuela and the United States. Both countries recently agreed to resume repatriation flights under Venezuela’s Return to the Homeland Plan, Xinhua reported.