My Statement on Recent American Strikes on Venezuela

The recent strikes on Venezuela and the kidnapping of President Maduro and his wife by the United States are alarming. This escalation is a serious breach of international law.

The British Government has consistently rejected Maduro’s legitimacy to govern Venezuela and called for a peaceful transition. Maduro’s regime has been marked by systemic corruption, brutal repression, and widespread human rights abuses, plunging the country into economic collapse and humanitarian crisis. His government’s actions have inflicted immense suffering on the Venezuelan people and violated fundamental democratic norms. 

However, President Trump’s disregard for international legal frameworks and use of unilateral force sets an equally dangerous precedent. 

The kidnapping of a head of state from a country represented at the United Nations General Assembly must be strongly condemned. Actions of this nature undermine the principles of sovereignty and the rules-based international order.

Furthermore, President Trump and senior US politicians’ subsequent comments and remarks are even more concerning. Such rhetoric is reckless and shows contempt for the rule of law.

My view is that the British Government should call on the United States to work constructively with the interim President and administration in Venezuela. Our collective focus must now be on achieving a transition without bloodshed to a democratic government in Venezuela that respects the rights and will of the Venezuelan people.