UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said the US must explain its reasoning behind the dramatic detention of President Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela. He said the situation is “complex” and needs to be judged in the light of international law. Speaking to reporters on Monday (January 5), Starmer reiterated the UK’s long-standing position on Venezuela.
\n“What we need in Venezuela is a peaceful transition to democracy. That was our position before the weekend and that is our position still.” “International law should be the standard by which governments are judged,” Starmer insisted.
\n“International law is the framework, the basis or the standard by which we judge the actions of all governments. And it is the responsibility of the United States to demonstrate the rationale for the action that the United States has taken.” He added that the situation is still evolving and complex; further developments could occur. However, the British Prime Minister’s Office rejected any comparison between the US operation in Venezuela and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
\nA spokesman for the Prime Minister said that there was no comparison between the two situations. He described Russia’s actions as “an unprovoked, full-scale aggression against a sovereign and democratic state”. The UK has repeatedly called Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine “illegal” and has imposed the toughest sanctions on Russia in its history.
\nUK position on Maduro’s legitimacy
\nDespite talks of a legal review of the US action, the British government has reiterated its position on Maduro’s legitimacy in Venezuela. “We have always been clear that the Maduro regime in Venezuela is a fraud,” Starmer’s spokesman said. He reiterated the UK’s support for democratic change in the South American country.
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