London – British lawmakers from various parties sharply criticized the U.S. military operation on January 3, 2026, that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, labeling it an "illegal attack on a sovereign nation" and calling on Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government to condemn the action unequivocally.
Independent MP and former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn described the strikes as an "unprovoked and illegal attack," warning it was a "brazen attempt" to secure control over Venezuelan natural resources. "It is an act of war that puts the lives of millions of people at risk—and should be condemned by anyone who believes in sovereignty and international law," Corbyn posted on X.
Zarah Sultana, a former Labour MP now with Your Party, linked the operation directly to resource exploitation: "Venezuela has the world’s largest oil reserves—and that’s no coincidence. This is naked U.S. imperialism: an illegal assault on Caracas aimed at overthrowing a sovereign government and plundering its resources." She demanded Starmer's Labour government "condemn this unequivocally" and expressed "solidarity with the Venezuelan people."
Labour MP John McDonnell drew parallels to past conflicts: "The US strikes came with no legal sanction, with no UN decision—what difference in international law is there between Trump’s attack on Venezuela & Putin’s invasion of Ukraine? If the UK government stands for the rule of law, Keir Starmer must condemn this."
Fellow Labour MP Nadia Whittome called it an “illegal attack on a sovereign nation,” describing it as a “blatant grab” for Venezuelan oil that risks civilian lives. "All of us who care about international law must condemn this," she wrote on X.
Richard Burgon, another Labour MP, said he "totally" condemns the "illegal attack," comparing it to the Iraq war: "Trump's regime change is about control of Venezuela’s oil—the largest reserves in the world."
Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey urged Starmer to condemn "Trump’s illegal action in Venezuela," arguing that "unlawful attacks like this make us all less safe" and give a "green light" to leaders like Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping "to attack other countries with impunity."
Green Party co-leader Zack Polanski demanded Starmer and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper condemn the "illegal strike and breach of international human rights law," accusing Trump of acting with impunity after "arming a genocide and worshipping the special relationship."
Independent MPs Ayoub Khan and Shockat Adam echoed concerns over sovereignty. Khan called it a “clear and egregious violation” of international law, stating the global community "cannot stand by" as foundations of legal order are disregarded. Adam described it as a “brazen breach... following a well-worn imperial playbook," noting Trump's interest in Venezuela’s resources and urging condemnation to promote peace.
Even from the right, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called the strikes "unorthodox and contrary to international law," though he suggested if they deter China and Russia, "it may be a good thing." He hoped Venezuelans could "turn a new leaf without Maduro."
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, however, withheld immediate condemnation, stressing the UK "was not involved in any way" and prioritizing facts: "I want to establish the facts first. I want to speak to President Trump." He affirmed belief in upholding international law and focused on safeguarding around 500 British nationals in Venezuela via the embassy.
The cross-party outcry—predominantly from left and center-left figures—highlights tensions over U.S. unilateralism versus sovereignty, amid accusations the operation targets Venezuela's vast oil reserves rather than solely drug trafficking claims against Maduro.
The U.S. action followed months of pressure, with Maduro indicted on narco-terrorism charges. Venezuelan acting leader Delcy Rodríguez demanded "proof of life" and rejected the capture as illegitimate.
As Maduro arrives in New York for arraignment, UK debates underscore broader European unease with the precedent-setting intervention.
