US branded a ‘gangster state’ by Labour peer over Venezuela attack amid call for sanctioning
A Labor Party member has called on the government to impose sanctions on the US, calling it a “ganster state” following its behavior in Venezuela.
Lord Sikka argued that Washington’s actions were contrary to the UN charter, which expressly orders members to refrain from “threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state”.
He warned that the UK Government’s failure to condemn this “attack” risked emboldening US President Donald Trump to “annex” more territory.
This concern is further fueled by European concerns about Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory that Donald Trump has threatened to buy using US military force.
However, the Government said it had no plans to impose sanctions on the US and that the suggestion was “not serious”.
Lord Sikka said: “The USA attacked Venezuela and kidnapped its president and wife in direct violation of Article 2(4) of the UN Charter.
“The Prime Minister has failed to condemn the aggression and violations of international law that will inevitably embolden Trump to annex other territories.
“Can the Minister explain why the Government has not imposed the same sanctions on the United States as it has imposed on other gangster states for violating the territorial integrity of UN member states?”
Responding, Baroness Chapman, Secretary of State for Darlington, said: “Because the UK Government works for the benefit of the people of the United Kingdom and it would not be in Britain’s interests to impose sanctions on our closest intelligence and security partner.
“This relationship goes back decades. It is deep. It is serious. I am afraid my noble friend’s question is not serious at all.”
Lady Chapman told colleagues: “The US is the UK’s principal defense and security partner. We have no plans to impose sanctions on the US.”
“We will continue to discuss evolving situations with our U.S. counterparts as we seek a safe and peaceful transition to a legitimate government that reflects the will of the Venezuelan people.”
He later added: “No one could be more pleased that Britain and the United States have experienced this kind of rupture in our relationship than Vladimir Putin.”
His independent cross-review peer Lord Singh of Wimbledon said the US was behaving like a “school bully”.
Lord Singh, best known as the presenter of Thought of the Day on BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme, said: “America’s action against Venezuela is reminiscent of the school playground where the leader of our gang to whom we have pledged allegiance begins to behave like the school bully.”
Lady Chapman replied: “No. I think what is most important in all this, and what is often lost in these exchanges, is that the Venezuelan people have been badly served and abused over many years.
“They deserve a government that puts them first, but they don’t have that government. We haven’t had a legitimate government in Venezuela for a while.”
“There’s a possibility that this could happen. I think it’s a good thing that Nicolas Maduro is no longer in charge of running Venezuela.”
Former Green Party leader Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle said the US had “shown a complete disregard for international law in its actions in Venezuela and threatened the self-determination of the people of Greenland and the sovereignty of Denmark”.
He asked: “Is the idea that the West is a geopolitical unit that binds the United States, Europe, and other nations together around shared values and principles dead?”
Lady Chapman replied: “No, absolutely not, and our position on Greenland has been set out very strongly by the Prime Minister and our allies.
“It is the job of the people of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark to determine the future of Greenland.”
Lord Purvis of Tweed, leader of the Liberal Democrats in the Lords, told colleagues the UK’s diplomatic presence in Caracas was “very close to where the bombs fell”.
Considering that the UK had not been informed in advance of the US intention to bomb the Venezuelan capital, he asked whether the Government had “complained” to the US about this.
Lady Chapman said: “Our team in Caracas is now out of crisis mode. They are back working. I have received updates from them today and will continue to do so.
“They’re safe. They’re fine. They’re doing their job expertly, just like they’ve been doing for the last few years.”
