Britain not involved in US Venezuela attack, says Keir Starmer | Venezuela
Sir Keir Starmer has said the UK was not involved in the US operation in Venezuela, where the country’s president Nicolás Maduro and his wife were “captured” by special forces and the capital Caracas was hit by airstrikes.
Speaking for the first time since Donald Trump launched his extraordinary attack, the prime minister said he had not spoken to the US president and that Britain was keen to reveal the “truths” about what was happening.
Starmer said the government was working with the British embassy in Caracas to support 500 Britons in Venezuela.
Speaking to broadcasters, the Prime Minister said: “This is clearly a fast-moving situation and we need to get all the facts out.
“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 working very closely with our embassy so we want to speak to the president, I will want to speak to the allies but we need to get the facts straight at the moment.”
He added that he expects more details to emerge at Trump’s press conference later on Saturday.
Starmer said: “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.”
The Prime Minister was asked to condemn the operation carried out by US forces. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said the action was “illegal” and could embolden other world leaders.
In his post about X, he said: “Keir Starmer must condemn Trump’s illegal action in Venezuela.
“Maduro is a brutal and illegitimate dictator, but illegal attacks like this make us all less safe. Trump gives the likes of Putin and Xi the green light to attack other countries with impunity.”
Green party leader Zack Polanski agreed, publishing on the same platform that Starmer and foreign secretary Yvette Cooper should oppose it.
Polanski said: “Trump, who has weaponized genocide for years and worshiped the ‘special relationship’, now believes he can act with impunity.”
Polanski later responded to Starmer’s comments, saying: “Starmer says he wanted to uncover the facts by watching Donald Trump’s press conference. People said he donated.” [Trump] A second state visit was a brilliant strategic move; It seems like it really worked.
“A special relationship; lively and vibrant.”
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage described the operation as “unorthodox” and admitted it violated international law. But he added: “If [it] This could be a good thing if it makes China and Russia think twice.
“I hope the Venezuelan people can now turn a new page without Maduro.”
Conservative party leader Kemi Badenoch has not commented publicly on the developments.
