A senior UK government minister has called for a rapid and peaceful transition of power in Venezuela, following the dramatic capture of the country's leader, Nicolas Maduro, by United States forces.
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 military operation that took place early on Saturday, 3 January 2026. The action saw Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, captured in Caracas and flown to New York to face 'narco-terrorism' charges.
Speaking on Sky News's Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips, Mr Jones stated, "The United Kingdom was not involved in any way. We were not informed of it beforehand." He declined to comment on the legality of the US strikes, saying that judgement should be left to international courts.
Trump's Plan to 'Run' Venezuela
The intervention, described as the most assertive US move for regime change since the 2003 Iraq invasion, was announced by President Donald Trump on Saturday. Trump declared that the US would "run" Venezuela until a "safe, proper and judicious transition" could be achieved.
He revealed intentions to exploit the leadership vacuum to overhaul the nation's oil infrastructure and sell "large amounts" of fuel internationally. "I'd like to do it quickly but it takes a period of time, you know, we're rebuilding," Trump said.
However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio later appeared to pour cold water on the prospect of swift elections, telling NBC's Meet The Press on Sunday that it was "premature" to discuss a vote.
UK Political Reaction and Diplomatic Tensions
The events have sparked a heated debate within UK politics. Mr Jones, a close ally of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, emphasised that while the UK sought a peaceful transition, 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," he said.
Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel criticised the government's stance, arguing it should have "absolutely" anticipated the US action. Meanwhile, Labour MPs voiced strong concerns. Kim Johnson questioned if the UK still stood for international law and sovereignty, while Richard Burgon called the Prime Minister's response "shameless and reckless".
Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell accused the government of turning the UK into a "Trump colony" through its prevarication.
Prime Minister Starmer, defending the critical UK-US security and intelligence relationship, told the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg that he "does not agree with President Trump on everything", but stressed the alliance was vital for national defence.
The situation escalated further when President Trump, in an interview with The Atlantic, suggested Venezuela might not be the last target for intervention, controversially stating, "We do need Greenland, absolutely." This prompted Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen to tell the US to "stop the threats".
