A senior UK government minister has stressed the need for a swift and peaceful political transition in Venezuela, following controversial military strikes by the United States on the capital, Caracas.
UK Not Consulted on US Operation
Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, Darren Jones, confirmed that the United Kingdom was neither involved in nor informed about the American operation before it was executed overnight on Saturday, 3 January 2026. The strikes targeted the regime of President Nicolas Maduro.
"The first thing to say is it was an American operation. The United Kingdom was not involved in any way," Mr Jones stated during an interview on Sky News' Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips. "We were not informed of it beforehand. So it's not for us to judge whether it's been a success or not. That's for the Americans to speak to."
Legality and the Path Forward
When pressed on the legality of the US action, the Cabinet Office minister declined to give a direct opinion. He insisted that such judgements should be left to "international courts" to determine what actions fall within the bounds of international law.
Mr Jones, a close ally of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, emphasised the immediate priority. "I think the important thing now, given the events that have unfolded over the last 48 hours, is that we are quickly able to get to a point where we can get to a peaceful transition to a president in Venezuela that has the support of the people of Venezuela."
US Claims and UK Caution
The US operation, described as the most assertive American intervention for regime change since the 2003 Iraq invasion, led to President Donald Trump announcing that Maduro and his wife had been flown out of Venezuela and indicted on narco-terrorism charges.
President Trump claimed America would "run" the country until a safe transfer of power could occur, and revealed intentions to exploit Venezuela's oil infrastructure. However, the UK government expressed uncertainty over this declaration.
"We are not entirely clear on what President Trump meant when he said America would run the nation," Mr Jones said, adding that it was not for a "third country" to decide Venezuela's future government. "It's for the Americans now and for Venezuela to set out what happens in the coming days."
Prime Minister Starmer, facing pressure from within the Labour Party and opposition to condemn the US strikes, has prioritised maintaining the critical UK-US security and intelligence relationship. He conceded having differences with President Trump but argued the alliance was paramount for national defence.
"I constantly remind myself that 24/7 our defence, our security and our intelligence relationship with the US matters probably more than any other relationship we've got in the world," Sir Keir told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg. While stating the UK would "shed no tears" over Maduro's departure, he underscored the necessity of making the vital transatlantic partnership work.
