UK Unclear on US Control of Venezuela Following Attack on Maduro
The UK has stated it is unclear what US control of Venezuela entails and is awaiting clarity on whether international law was breached after US forces attacked Caracas and captured Nicolás Maduro and his wife. Donald Trump declared that the US will govern Venezuela until a safe, proper, and judicious transition is possible.
Darren Jones, chief secretary to the Prime Minister, said the UK would neither claim involvement nor judge the US action, urging a peaceful transition reflecting the will of the Venezuelan people. The UK intends to move swiftly toward a peaceful transfer of power and to leave decisions about Venezuela's future to the Americans and Venezuelans themselves, with no stated UK plan for Maduro’s fate.
Opposition leader Keir Starmer emphasized the need to obtain full facts from Trump before making judgments, reaffirming a commitment to international law. He maintained that the UK was not informed of the plan to strike Venezuela and had no involvement.
Reform UK’s deputy leader defended Trump's action as compliant with US domestic law, contrasting it with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, warning against creating a power vacuum, and citing UN Article 51 as relevant.
Additionally, Priti Patel argued that Maduro lacked a legitimate mandate and called for discussions with the foreign secretary to establish a democratic pathway for Venezuela, referencing the annulment of the 2024 opposition victory by Maduro.
