US Secretary of State Marco Rubio testifies before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday, January 28, in Washington DC, on the US operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

The hearing is Rubio’s first public appearance before lawmakers on the issue since US forces grabbed Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, on January 3, following strikes on the country.

Maduro and Flores remain in US custody and are due to appear in court again in March on charges that include alleged narco-terrorism, which they strongly deny.

Senators are expected to question the legal basis for the operation and the level of congressional oversight - after Rubio admitted that lawmakers weren't told in advance.