WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States holds Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro “personally responsible” for the health and safety of two leading opponents of his government jailed on Tuesday.

In a statement issued by the White House late on Tuesday, Trump said Leopoldo Lopez and Antonio Ledezma were political prisoners held illegally by the Venezuelan government.

“The United States holds Maduro –- who publicly announced just hours earlier that he would move against his political opposition –- personally responsible for the health and safety of Mr. Lopez, Mr. Ledezma, and any others seized,” Trump said.