Keir Starmer emphasized the significance of adhering to international law following the US military strikes in Venezuela that occurred on Saturday. The Venezuelan capital was rocked by a series of explosions, including at Fort Tiuna, the location of the Venezuelan ministry of defense. Additionally, parts of southern Caracas, near a major military base, experienced power outages.
Addressing the situation, the UK Prime Minister refrained from condemning the strikes, stating that the UK was not involved in the operation. He expressed the need to gather all relevant information and emphasized the importance of upholding international law. Mr. Starmer reiterated the call for more facts before taking any further action.
The Prime Minister assured that efforts were being made to ensure the safety of British nationals in Venezuela, estimated to be around 500 individuals. Reports from residents described multiple explosions and low-flying aircraft in Caracas, creating a tense atmosphere following threats from President Trump towards the Venezuelan leadership.
President Trump later confirmed the execution of “large-scale strikes” in Venezuela, claiming the capture and removal of President Maduro and his wife from the country. The bombings in Caracas mark a culmination of longstanding tensions between the US and Venezuela, with accusations of drug trafficking and terrorism-related charges against President Maduro.
Various political figures, including the Liberal Democrats leader and the Green Party leader, urged the Prime Minister to denounce the US military actions in Venezuela, citing concerns about international law violations and the implications of unchecked aggression. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office issued a travel advisory cautioning against all travel to Venezuela and advising British nationals in the country to seek shelter and stay informed about departure options.