A senior Cabinet minister has publicly defended Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's cautious response to the controversial US military action in Venezuela, stating the leader is selecting his language "wisely" to navigate a complex diplomatic situation.
Cabinet Defence Amid Internal Labour Pressure
Health Secretary Wes Streeting emerged to support the Prime Minister's stance, emphasising that Sir Keir is focused on "how to make a challenging situation better, not worse" for both European security and the Venezuelan people. This comes as the Prime Minister faces growing criticism from within his own party.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast on Tuesday 6 January 2026, Streeting framed the events in Venezuela as "further morbid symptoms of the disintegration of the rules-based system," warning that "a world without rules is a world in which we are all less safe."
The Delicate Balance of Diplomacy and Law
Sir Keir Starmer has notably avoided directly criticising the United States for its operation on Saturday 3 January. During that raid, US forces struck Caracas and seized then-president Nicolas Maduro and his wife from their home. Maduro later appeared in a New York court on Monday 5 January, pleading not guilty to narco-terrorism charges and declaring himself a prisoner of war.
The Prime Minister's reluctance is understood to be linked to Europe's continued reliance on Washington for security guarantees concerning Ukraine. On Monday, he stated international law must be the "anchor" for Venezuela's future and that the US must justify its actions.
However, this measured approach has sparked dissent from Labour backbenchers. Key figures, including Dame Emily Thornberry, Chair of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, have demanded condemnation, labelling the US raid a clear breach of international law.
International Repercussions and Legal Scrutiny
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper informed MPs she discussed the importance of international law with US counterpart Marco Rubio but did not explicitly state whether the US had violated it. The potential legal breaches are significant.
Article 2 of the UN Charter obliges all members to refrain from "the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state." UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern that the rules of international law were not respected during the January 3 operation, warning this "grave" action could set a dangerous precedent for global relations.
While Streeting expressed "enormous respect" for critics like Dame Emily, he underscored that the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary bear a different responsibility, where their words carry substantial global weight. "He is choosing his words carefully and wisely to try and influence how events unfold from here on," Streeting concluded.
