Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has informed the House of Commons that she stressed the importance of international law in discussions with her American counterpart, following a dramatic US military operation in Venezuela.
Diplomatic Discussions Post-Intervention
The statement on Monday 5th January 2026 came after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro pleaded not guilty in a New York court to charges of "narco-terrorism". Ms Cooper revealed she spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio over the weekend, after the operation which captured Maduro and removed him from power.
"In my discussions with Secretary Rubio, I raised the importance of complying with international law, and we will continue to urge all partners to do so," Ms Cooper told MPs. However, she stated it was for the US to set out the legal basis for their actions, noting the UN Security Council was discussing the situation.
UK Stance on Maduro's Rule
Opening her address, the Foreign Secretary was sharply critical of the deposed leader. She accused Maduro of authoritarian rule, facilitating organised crime, narcotics trafficking, and illegal gold trading, while forcing opposition figures into exile.
"These are the hallmarks of a regime that clings to power through fear, coercion and violence, not through democratic consent," she said. "We can shed no tears for the end of Maduro’s rule," Ms Cooper reiterated, echoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer who had earlier described Maduro as "illegitimate".
Parliamentary and International Reaction
The Foreign Secretary faced direct calls to label the US action a breach of law. Emily Thornberry, chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, urged her to "call it out for what it is", warning of a risk to international norms if such interventions were not condemned.
In response, Ms Cooper reiterated the UK's commitment to international law but focused her criticism on Maduro, referencing his alleged crimes against humanity and economic destruction. The intervention has sparked global controversy, with both US allies and adversaries condemning it at an emergency UN Security Council meeting.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern that rules of international law had not been respected, warning the US action could set a dangerous precedent. The operation is seen as the most assertive US move to achieve regime change since the 2003 Iraq invasion.
Within the Commons, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey accused former US President Donald Trump of having "no interest in Venezuelan democracy", suggesting the motive was access to oil. Conversely, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said her party understood the US action, arguing the UK must similarly act in its national interest.
Ms Cooper concluded by emphasising the immediate focus must be on supporting a peaceful democratic transition and preventing further instability in Venezuela, which would damage the region and UK overseas territories.
