Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has informed Parliament that the United Kingdom has formally raised the importance of adhering to international law with the United States government, following dramatic military action in Venezuela over the weekend.
Diplomatic Discussions and Legal Scrutiny
Addressing the House of Commons on Monday, 5th January 2026, Cooper confirmed she had spoken with her US counterpart, Secretary of State Marco Rubio. She stated she "raised the importance of complying with international law" during their conversation, adding that the UK would continue to urge all partners to do the same.
The foreign secretary stopped short of explicitly stating that the US had broken international law, despite calls from MPs across the political spectrum to make such a declaration. She emphasised that the "immediate focus" must be on preventing "further instability" in the South American nation.
The intervention she referenced saw US airstrikes across Venezuela in the early hours of Saturday. President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured and flown to the United States, arriving in New York on Sunday to face drug trafficking and weapons charges.
UK Stance on Maduro's Removal
In her statement, Cooper was scathing in her criticism of the deposed leader's regime. She opened by condemning Maduro's "authoritarian rule", his links to Russia, and his government's facilitation of organised crime, narcotics trafficking, and illegal gold trading.
"A man who is currently being investigated for crimes against humanity and who has such a history of political repression as well as economic destruction and corruption should not be leading a country," Cooper told MPs.
She argued his regime clung to power "through fear, coercion and violence, not through democratic consent," which is why, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Saturday, the UK "can shed no tears for the end of Maduro's rule."
Opposition Voices and Contrasting Views
The foreign secretary also revealed she had spoken on Monday to "inspirational" Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, praising her "unwavering fight for democracy, human rights and the rule of law." The UK's endorsement of Machado stands in direct contrast to comments from former US President Donald Trump, who on Saturday said it would be "very tough for her to be the leader." Machado, a former National Assembly member and barred presidential candidate, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2025.
However, not all UK political figures align with the government's position. Your Party co-founder and former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn argued that Maduro remains the "constitutional" leader of Venezuela. Speaking to Sky News, Corbyn described the US action as "a violation of every aspect of international law" and questioned, "Who are we to decide?" his legitimacy.
Cooper concluded that the legal basis for the US actions was a matter for Washington to set out, noting the UN Security Council was discussing Venezuela. The UK's priority, she reiterated, is supporting a transition to a peaceful and stable democracy while guarding against further deterioration in the country.
