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UK parliamentary committee chair slams US strikes as unlawful
The chair of the UK House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee has declared the United States' military intervention in Venezuela a violation of international law, urging the British government to publicly reject the operation.
Dame Emily Thornberry leads criticism
Dame Emily Thornberry, a senior Labour MP, became the most prominent British politician to condemn the weekend strikes, which resulted in the detention of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Westminster Hour, Thornberry stated the action had "no legal basis" and lacked any plausible justification.
"We cannot tolerate breaches of international law like this," she said. "We condemn Putin for similar actions-we must be equally clear that Trump should not be doing this either. The world cannot descend into international anarchy where powerful nations act without consequence."
Risk of emboldening rivals
Thornberry warned the US operation could set a dangerous precedent, potentially encouraging Russia and China to justify their own interventions. "Putin will argue Ukraine is within his sphere of influence, and Xi may say the same about Taiwan," she said. "This undermines the global rules-based order."
UK government remains non-committal
The British government has so far declined to assess the legality of the strikes, insisting the US must present its legal rationale first. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer avoided direct criticism of the operation, instead emphasizing the UK's commitment to the "international rule of law" while calling for a "peaceful transition to democracy" in Venezuela.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy is expected to address Parliament later, where opposition parties are likely to press for a stronger response. Earlier, junior minister Mike Tapp refused to confirm whether the UK would abstain in a potential UN Security Council vote on the matter, citing a lack of clarity on the US's legal arguments.
Opposition parties unite in condemnation
Several UK parties have denounced the strikes as unlawful. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey acknowledged Maduro as a "brutal dictator" but argued the operation "makes the world less safe." Green Party leader Zack Polanski and SNP leader John Swinney echoed calls for adherence to international law, with Swinney stressing the need for all nations to respect the "rules-based system."
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage took a more nuanced stance, calling the action "unorthodox" but suggesting it might deter China and Russia. Meanwhile, Conservative shadow minister Alex Burghart defended the US, citing Maduro's long-standing defiance of international norms.
Maduro detained on US charges
Maduro and his wife were flown to New York following a joint US-Venezuelan military operation. They face charges of drug trafficking and weapons offenses, accused of profiting from a cocaine-smuggling network. Maduro has consistently dismissed the allegations as a pretext for regime change.
US President Donald Trump has pledged to oversee Venezuela's governance until a "proper transition" occurs, with Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez set to assume interim leadership.
UN Security Council convenes
The UN Security Council, where the UK holds a permanent seat, is scheduled to discuss the operation. The outcome of the meeting could shape the international response to the crisis.
