Starmer Welcomes End of Maduro Era After U.S. Operation in Venezuela

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Saturday that he does not regret the removal of Nicolas Maduro from the presidency of Venezuela following a dramatic U.S. military raid, while stressing that the ultimate goal must be a democratic transition that reflects the will of the Venezuelan people.

In an official statement, Starmer said the United Kingdom has long supported a transition of power in Venezuela and never viewed Maduro as a legitimate leader. He stated that Britain “shed no tears” over the collapse of Maduro’s regime and reiterated the UK’s position that Venezuela deserves a lawful and representative government. The comments came after U.S. forces carried out an overnight operation that reportedly disrupted electricity in parts of Caracas and led to Maduro’s capture.

Despite the scale of the operation, the situation on the ground in Venezuela remains uncertain. U.S. forces do not appear to have full control of the country, and key elements of Maduro’s former government are still functioning. Questions also remain about how U.S. President Donald Trump intends to oversee developments in Venezuela and what the next phase of governance might look like.

Starmer emphasized that the UK was not involved in the U.S. military action and said he intended to speak directly with President Trump to better understand the situation. As a former human rights lawyer, the prime minister highlighted the importance of respecting international law, though he stopped short of explicitly stating whether the U.S. actions violated it. He reiterated that all nations should uphold international legal principles, especially during times of conflict and political change.

The UK government said it will continue discussions with U.S. counterparts in the coming days, focusing on achieving a safe and peaceful transition to a legitimate Venezuelan government. Starmer has taken a cautious diplomatic approach, seeking to maintain strong relations with Washington while avoiding the sharper public criticism voiced by some European leaders.

Reactions within UK politics have been mixed. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage suggested the U.S. action may have breached international law but argued it could deter China and Russia. Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats and Green Party criticized Trump’s intervention, while the Conservative Party welcomed Maduro’s departure.