Cooper refuses to condemn US action in Venezuela
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said she was refusing to say whether the US had broken international law as she faced questions about Britain’s handling of the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
Ms Cooper told MPs on Monday evening that she had raised the issue of international law with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio but refused to condemn the US operation.
He echoed earlier comments by prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, who refused to criticize US President Donald Trump despite warnings from legal experts that US action on Saturday could be illegal.
Ms Cooper told the House of Commons: “I have stressed the importance of complying with international law in my discussions with Minister Rubio, and we will continue to encourage all partners to do so.”
“Of course, the United States needs to establish the legal basis for its actions, and the UN Security Council is discussing Venezuela this afternoon. These issues will continue to be the subject of international debate.”
“I discussed with Secretary Rubio what should happen next and our continued commitment to a peaceful and stable transition to democracy.”
The government is facing increasing criticism from its own MPs, who have increasingly encouraged Sir Keir to criticize US intervention.
In the House of Commons on Monday, former Labor minister Emily Thornberry, chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, argued that actions in Venezuela “should have been warned not only by the UK but also by our Western allies”.
He added: “We must call out that this is a violation of international law. It is not for the country that broke the law to say whether it broke the law or not. It is certainly up to the West to stand up and call it what it is.”
Labor MP for York Central Rachael Maskell has demanded answers about what intelligence the UK has about US actions in Venezuela before the weekend.
“It is very clear to me that the United States has violated Article 2(4) of the UN Charter (1945) and should therefore be referred to the ICC where it would clearly be a reasonable process to determine whether international law has been violated,” he said. Independent.
“Therefore, I do not support the actions of the President of the United States and believe that this constitutes a very dangerous priority.”
He said he was “concerned” that the UN Security Council “will not be able to meet its obligations due to the geopolitics surrounding the situation”, adding: “I believe the Prime Minister needs to be clear because this is not an issue that can be triangulated on.
“The UK must state that international law has always been upheld. I would like to know what intelligence the UK received before the invasion and how it used this information to prevent breaches of international law.”
Independent approached the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office for a response.
Nottingham East Labor MP Nadia Whittome said the US was breaking international law and added: [UK] The government’s attitude is shameful. The prime minister and foreign secretary need to stand up to Trump and publicly condemn his illegal actions.
“By refusing to do this, the government is allowing international law to be subverted and leaving more countries around the world at risk of being attacked at the whims of oppressors.”
Steve Witherden, Labor MP for Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr, accused Mr Trump of “American gangsterism” and said the government response was inadequate.
Meanwhile, John McDonnell, the Labor MP for Hayes and Harlington who was only readmitted as a Labor MP in September following the benefit cap rebellion, accused Sir Keir of a “disgraceful failure” on the issue.
Kim Johnson, the Labor MP for Liverpool Riverside, said Sir Keir should comply with international law and condemn Mr Trump’s actions. Independent: “Standing behind the biggest bully on the playground is not a sign of strength; it makes you complicit.”
Lord Sumption, former chief justice of the UK Supreme Court, described the move as “manifestly illegal”, while former attorney general Dominic Grieve added: “We live with a completely maverick and amoral US president who poses a serious and serious danger to world peace.”
But the prime minister continued his refusal to condemn President Trump.
Speaking to reporters, the prime minister said: “What is happening in Venezuela is absolutely crucial. We have long advocated for a peaceful transition to democracy, because the president was illegitimate.”
Ms Cooper told the House of Commons on Monday that the government was calling for a “peaceful and stable transition to democracy” in Venezuela.
“Venezuela’s leadership must reflect the will of the Venezuelan people, so the international community must come together to help ensure a peaceful transition to a democratic government that respects the rights and will of its people,” he said.
“This should mean action against the economic crisis, the release of political prisoners, the return of opposition politicians, an end to political repression, respect for human rights and plans to hold free and fair elections.”
