The UK was not involved “in any way” in the US-led strikes on Venezuela, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said, reported BBC. Starmer said he had not yet spoken to US President Donald Trump about the US operation to seize President Nicolas Maduro in the country’s capital, Caracas.
The Prime Minister also said he was working with the UK embassy in Venezuela to ensure around 500 British citizens in the South American country are “well looked-after, safeguarded and get appropriate advice”. The BBC quoted Starmer as saying, “I always say and believe we should uphold international law. “But I think at this stage [in a] fast moving situation, let’s establish the facts and take it from there.
“I want to establish the facts first. I want to speak to President Trump. “I want to speak to allies. As I say I can be absolutely clear we were not involved in that.” Conservative shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel said “nobody will shed tears” that Maduro had been “removed”. She said, “We have always strongly condemned Maduro’s brutal and repressive regime and the Conservative government did not consider Maduro’s administration as legitimate.
“We await the full facts about the US operation which has removed Maduro and we want to see the Venezuelan people enjoy democratic norms and freedoms. “This is clearly a very serious geopolitical moment.”
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey urged Starmer to condemn the US actions. He said, “Keir Starmer should condemn Trump’s illegal action in Venezuela. Maduro is a brutal and illegitimate dictator, but unlawful attacks like this make us all less safe. “Trump is giving a green light to the likes of Putin and Xi to attack other countries with impunity.”
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said the “unorthodox” military operation by the US could prove a deterrent to future Russian and Chinese aggression.
Green Party leader Zack Polanski has called on the PM to condemn the US military strike, which he described as “illegal” and a “breach of international human rights law”. Polanski said, “After years of arming a genocide and worshipping the ‘special relationship’, Trump now believes he can act with impunity.”
THE Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has advised Indian nationals to avoid all non-essential travel to Venezuela in view of recent developments in the South American country and the rapidly evolving security situation there. “All Indians who are in Venezuela for any reason are advised to exercise extreme caution, restrict their movements, and remain in contact with the Embassy of India in Caracas,” it said.
