By Home Affairs Correspondent
London, (The Muslim News): UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing mounting political pressure after declining to condemn a dramatic US military operation in Venezuela, a stance that has exposed deep fissures within the Labour Party. The operation, which resulted in the seizing of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, has sparked alarm across the international community, including the United Nations, and drawn sharp criticism from MPs across the political spectrum.
The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, said he was “deeply alarmed” by the escalation, warning that the actions could set a dangerous precedent and urging all parties to fully respect international law and the UN Charter. A UN spokesperson stressed the need for inclusive dialogue in Venezuela and the protection of human rights.
Other permanent members of the UN Security Council also reacted strongly. China said it was “deeply shocked” and condemned the US military action as a violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty and international law. Russia denounced the strikes as an “act of armed aggression” and an unacceptable infringement on Venezuelan sovereignty, calling for dialogue and de-escalation. France issued a particularly trenchant criticism, labelling the operation “a violation of international law and the principles of national sovereignty” and warning that external military interventions risk destabilising the region. President Emmanuel Macron insisted that lasting political change cannot be imposed from outside, calling for renewed diplomatic efforts, including urgent UN-facilitated talks, while Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna confirmed France’s readiness to engage with regional partners to protect Venezuelan civilians.
Venezuela has formally requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, describing the US operation as “criminal aggression,” while countries including Brazil and South Africa have urged the Council to act swiftly.
Speaking to the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg on Sunday, Starmer refused to say whether Trump had broken international law. Asked directly if he would condemn the US action, Starmer said:
“I want to get all the material facts together, and we simply haven’t got the full picture at the moment. It’s fast moving, and we need to piece that together. I can be really clear with you that there was no UK involvement in this operation, and obviously we’re working in relation to British citizens and nationals who are there with our Embassy.”
Starmer repeatedly stressed the need to verify the facts and consult with allies before taking a formal position, emphasising the close UK–US relationship and the importance of defence, security, and intelligence cooperation, “The relationship between the US and the UK is one of the closest relationships in the world. It is vitally important for our defence, for our security, for our intelligence. It is my responsibility to make sure that relationship works as the Prime Minister of this country working with the President of the United States.”
Starmer’s caution drew immediate ire from Labour MPs on the party’s left. Zarah Sultana MP said the attack amounted to “naked US imperialism” aimed at Venezuela’s vast oil reserves and demanded the Labour government condemn it “unequivocally.” She later accused Starmer of acting like “Donald Trump’s poodle.”
Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn described the US operation as an “unprovoked and illegal attack” and warned that it constituted an act of war putting millions of lives at risk. Apsana Begum MP said Trump had long threatened war on oil-rich Venezuela and described the bombing of Caracas as illegal under international law, while Richard Burgon MP argued the intervention was about “stealing oil” and demonstrating that international law no longer mattered. Diane Abbott MP said reports of US bombing or invasion were “completely unacceptable,” insisting Trump had neither domestic nor international authorisation for such action.
Criticism extended beyond Labour. Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said Starmer should condemn Trump’s “illegal action,” warning that attacks of this kind make the world less safe and embolden authoritarian leaders elsewhere. Independent MP Ayoub Khan described the strike as a “clear and egregious violation of international law,” while former Green MP Caroline Lucas argued that although Venezuela urgently needed a democratic solution, the US attack was “unjustified and unjustifiable.”
Senior Conservatives urged caution. Priti Patel MP said the Conservative Party had long regarded Maduro’s administration as illegitimate and that “nobody will shed tears” over his removal, though she stressed that the full facts of the operation were still awaited. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch warned against rushing to judgement, insisting the UK must carefully assess the facts and consider the consequences for regional and global stability. Nigel Farage said the US action appeared contrary to international law but suggested it might deter China and Russia, adding that he hoped the Venezuelan people could now “turn a new leaf.”
The fallout followed extraordinary claims by Trump, who said the US had conducted a coordinated military and law enforcement operation resulting in the capture of Maduro and Flores. Trump hailed the strike as “brilliant,” said he had watched it unfold in real time, and claimed there were no US fatalities. He later said the couple were being transported to New York, where they would face criminal charges.
Senior US officials sought to justify the operation on law enforcement grounds. Attorney General Pam Bondi said Maduro and Flores had been indicted in the Southern District of New York on charges including “narco-terrorism,” while Vice President JD Vance said Maduro had been offered multiple opportunities to de-escalate. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated claims that Maduro headed the Cartel de los Soles, which the US designated a foreign terrorist organisation last year. US media reported the operation was carried out by Delta Force, an elite special forces unit.
Trump also openly linked the intervention to Venezuela’s oil sector, saying, “We’re going to be very strongly involved in it … We have the greatest oil companies in the world, the biggest, the greatest, and we’re going to be very much involved in it,” remarks that fuelled accusations from critics that the operation was driven by resource interests rather than the rule of law.
In Caracas, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez said the government had no confirmation of Maduro’s whereabouts and demanded “proof of life.” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed that any resolution must respect international law and the UN Charter, while US Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib described the operation as illegal and unconstitutional.
[Photo: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (R) meets with Qi Xiaoqi, Special Envoy of President Xi Jinpin on January 2, 2026. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro received a Chinese government representative at the presidential palace in Caracas on Friday, hours before US President Donald Trump claimed Maduro had been seized following American military strikes. Photojournalist: Presidency of Venezuela/AA]
