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Dame Emily Thornberry, chair of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, has condemned the recent US military intervention in Venezuela as a violation of international law, urging the UK to clearly state its position against such actions. Her criticism marks her as the most senior Labour figure to openly challenge President Donald Trump’s weekend strikes, which resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. While the UK government has declined to comment on the legality of the US operation, emphasizing that the Americans should provide their legal justification, Thornberry joins several Labour MPs and opposition party leaders in expressing disapproval.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Westminster Hour, Dame Emily described the US strikes as “not a legal action” and expressed her inability to find any valid justification for them. She insisted that the UK and its allies need to stand firm against breaches of international law, stating, “We cannot have the law of the jungle.” Thornberry drew parallels by highlighting that the UK condemns similar actions by other world leaders, saying, “We condemn Putin for doing it. We need to make clear that Donald Trump shouldn’t be doing it either.” She warned that such moves risk encouraging a dangerous global precedent, where powerful nations impose their will under the assumption of unchecked spheres of influence, potentially emboldening leaders like Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping.
The UK’s political reaction remains divided. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has so far refrained from condemning the strikes, emphasizing the need to establish all facts before making a judgment. Starmer, who has prioritized his relationship with Donald Trump in his foreign policy, described himself as a “lifelong advocate of international law.” Meanwhile, Home Office Minister Mike Tapp labeled Maduro as “an evil, illegitimate dictator” who tortured citizens and stated that Venezuela would now be “a safer place.” Despite this, Tapp underscored the complexity of the legal questions surrounding the strikes and noted that the UK would consult with the US and its allies before reaching a definitive stance. The UK, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, is expected to participate in discussions about the operation.
Opposition voices across various parties have also voiced their concerns over the US action. Leaders from the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party, and the Scottish National Party criticized the strikes, calling for adherence to the international rules-based system. While some Labour MPs have condemned the military intervention outright, others reserve judgment pending further information. On the other hand, the Conservative Party and certain figures like Shadow Minister Alex Burghart and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage have expressed more measured positions, acknowledging the challenges posed by authoritarian leaders like Maduro but debating the legality and strategic impact of the strikes. Maduro and his wife were removed from Venezuela during the operation and face criminal charges in New York, allegations they have long denied, while the US has pledged a transition to a new leadership under Venezuela’s Vice-President
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