Prime Minister Keir Starmer has declared he will "shed no tears" over the downfall of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, as former US President Donald Trump outlined plans for an effective American occupation of the South American nation.
Trump's Bold Declaration and Starmer's Cautious Response
The dramatic developments unfolded on Saturday, 3rd January 2026, following US military strikes and the reported capture of President Maduro. In a press conference from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, Trump stated that Venezuela would be "run" by members of his cabinet, specifically naming Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Trump asserted the US would govern the country temporarily, intending to tap into Venezuela's vast oil reserves to sell "large amounts" to other nations. He indicated that Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was cooperative, suggesting she was "willing to do what we think is necessary to make Venezuela great again."
In response, Prime Minister Starmer, speaking from the UK, adopted a more measured tone. He confirmed British forces were not involved in the assault and emphasised the need to "establish the facts." He stated he had not yet spoken to Trump but planned discussions with US counterparts in the coming days.
"The UK has long supported a transition of power in Venezuela," Starmer said. "We regarded Maduro as an illegitimate President and we shed no tears about the end of his regime." He reiterated the UK's support for international law and the goal of a "safe and peaceful transition" reflecting the will of the Venezuelan people.
Justification and International Alarm
The legal basis for the US action, which amounts to an invasion and takeover of a sovereign state, was immediately questioned. The White House did not seek congressional approval beforehand, a move Secretary Rubio defended as necessary for operational integrity.
Trump's administration swiftly worked to build a public case. On social media platform X, Rubio labelled Maduro the head of a "narco-terror organisation" and stated he was under US indictment. Senator Mike Lee later claimed Rubio told him the bombings were needed to protect US personnel executing an arrest warrant on Maduro.
Trump celebrated the operation, telling Fox News he "watched it literally like I was watching a television show" and claiming it would stop drugs entering the US, despite Venezuela being a minor transit route.
The United Nations expressed deep alarm, stating the escalation constituted a "dangerous precedent" and a violation of international law. Spokesman Stéphane Dujarric warned of implications for Latin America and called for respect of human rights.
Domestic and Global Repercussions
The move has sparked a sharp divide in political reactions. Reform UK's Nigel Farage offered a qualified defence, calling the action "unorthodox and contrary to international law" but suggesting it might make "China and Russia think twice."
In contrast, Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey urged Starmer to condemn Trump, warning that such "unlawful attacks" give a "green light to the likes of Putin and Xi."
On the ground, the situation remains fluid. While Trump claimed a US presence was already managing Venezuela, state television continued broadcasting pro-Maduro propaganda, showing supporters protesting in the streets of Caracas. The long-term strategy for a transition of power remains unclear, setting the stage for a major diplomatic crisis and testing the UK-US "special relationship" under the new Starmer and Trump administrations.
