The UK’s Shadow Foreign Secretary, Dame Emily Thornberry, has condemned the U.S. military action in Venezuela, calling it a breach of international law. The operation, which led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, has drawn criticism from a range of UK politicians. Thornberry stressed that the United States must be held to the same standards as any other nation, warning that failing to do so could undermine the international order.
While the UK government has not formally labeled the U.S. action illegal, it has urged Washington to provide a legal justification. Labour MPs, along with leaders of the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party and the SNP, have all voiced opposition. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey warned that “unlawful attacks like this make us all less safe,” and the opposition parties are pressing the government to issue a formal condemnation.
The U.S. operation, conducted in coordination with law‑enforcement agencies, has resulted in Maduro and his wife facing weapons and drug charges in New York. U.S. officials allege that the couple profited from a violent group that smuggled cocaine into the United States—a claim Maduro denies. The episode has raised concerns about the precedent it could set for other powers, particularly Russia and China, which might feel emboldened to act similarly and disregard international law.
The United Nations Security Council, of which the UK is a member, is slated to meet to discuss the U.S. action. The British government is expected to issue a statement, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer indicating that he will wait for all the facts before deciding whether the strikes were illegal. The situation remains complex as the UK and its allies await further clarification from the United States.
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