Keir Starmer breaks silence after Trump states US will ‘run’ Venezuela | Politics | News
The UK Government will “shed no tears” over the end of Nicolás Maduro’s regime, Sir Keir Starmer said in his first statement since Donald Trump’s press conference on Saturday. The British Prime Minister appealed to X for a second look at the “developing situation” in the Latin American country.
He wrote: “The UK has long supported the transition of power in Venezuela. We viewed Maduro as an illegitimate president and shed no tears over the end of his regime.” Referring to his previous statements regarding support for international law, Sir Keir continued: “This morning I reiterated my support for international law.
“The UK Government will discuss the evolving situation with our US counterparts in the coming days as we seek a safe and peaceful transition to a legitimate government that reflects the will of the Venezuelan people.”
Earlier today, Sir Keir said he had not spoken to Mr Trump about the attack on Caracas, where Mr Maduro and his wife were reportedly captured and transferred to the US for trial.
Caracas has previously rejected allegations that Mr Maduro leads a “narco-terrorist cartel”.
Sir Keir said: “What I can say is that the UK was not involved in this operation in any way and, as you can imagine, we are focusing on British nationals in Venezuela.” [and] We work very closely with our embassy.
“I want to talk to the president. I’ll want to talk to the allies, but right now I think we need to get the facts out there.
“I think President Trump will hold a press conference later, so I expect more information will come out then.”
When faced with pressure from opposition critics, including the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party, to condemn the strike, he added: “I always say and believe that we should all support international law, but I think it’s a fast-moving situation at this stage, let’s get the facts out and go from there.”
At Saturday’s press conference, Mr. Trump talked about the nighttime operation and said it did not result in any loss of life for the United States.
He said that for now, the United States will “manage Venezuela” until “we can have a safe, appropriate and reasonable transition.”
Sir Keir was not the only European leader to comment on the US operation on the night when multiple explosions were heard and low-flying planes swept over Caracas.
Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni wrote about
“In line with Italy’s historical stance, the government believes that external military action should not be the route to be taken to end totalitarian regimes, but at the same time it sees a defensive operation as legitimate against hybrid attacks on its security, such as the case of state institutions that fuel and support drug trafficking.
“We continue to follow particularly carefully the situation of the Italian community in Venezuela, whose security is the government’s absolute priority.”
Emmanuel Macron apparently did not embrace Mr Trump’s statement that the US would “rule” Venezuela for now. The French president said: “The Venezuelan people have today been freed from the dictatorship of Nicolás Maduro and can only rejoice.
“Nicolás Maduro has seriously undermined the dignity of his own people by seizing power and trampling on fundamental freedoms. The upcoming transition must be peaceful, democratic and respectful of the will of the Venezuelan people.
“We hope that President Edmundo González Urrutia, elected in 2024, will be able to quickly ensure this transition. I am currently exchanging views with our partners in the region.
“France is fully mobilized and alert, including to ensure the safety of its citizens in these uncertain times.”
