The British government has pointedly refused to say whether the United States broke international law by launching a military strike on Venezuela and capturing its president, Nicolas Maduro. In the UK's first official reaction to the dramatic events, senior ministers avoided direct condemnation while emphasising the importance of a rules-based global order.
A Deliberate Silence on Legality
Darren Jones, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury and a key ally of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, was pressed repeatedly during an interview on Sky's Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips. He would not be drawn on the central question of legality that has been raised by numerous other nations.
"It's for the Americans to set out the legal basis for their operation," Mr Jones stated. He confirmed that the United Kingdom was not involved in the operation and was not informed about it in advance.
The operation saw US airstrikes across Venezuela in the early hours of Saturday, 3 January 2026. President Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured and flown to the United States, arriving in New York on Sunday, 4 January, where they face charges of narco-terrorism.
International Concern and Domestic Criticism
The UK's cautious stance stands in contrast to queries raised by other major powers. France, Spain, Canada, and Germany have all questioned the operation's adherence to international law, as has UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Former Conservative foreign secretary Priti Patel criticised the government's position, arguing it should have "absolutely" anticipated the US action. "It's pretty clear that was the direction of travel," she said.
Mr Jones also addressed controversial comments from former US President Donald Trump, who said the US would "run" Venezuela until a "proper transition" could occur. The minister said the UK was "not entirely clear yet" what Mr Trump meant but insisted the UK was "not in favour of colonialism".
Expert Analysis: 'Americans a Law Unto Themselves'
Sir John Sawers, the head of MI6 from 2009 to 2014, provided stark analysis of the situation. He told Trevor Phillips that the US operation, which relies on a law enforcement justification rather than a national defence one, would "not have passed muster" in the UK or Europe.
"I'm not surprised Keir Starmer and his government have distanced themselves from this operation without actually making any criticism of it, because it wouldn't pass muster here in the UK," Sir John said. "But Americans are a law unto themselves."
Prime Minister Starmer himself mirrored his minister's evasive approach when questioned by the BBC. The lifelong advocate of international law said he was waiting to establish all the facts and would not "shy away from this", but similarly declined to give a verdict on the operation's legality.
The UK government's response highlights the delicate diplomatic tightrope it is attempting to walk, maintaining its alliance with Washington while upholding its stated commitment to international legal norms, without explicitly judging the actions of a key partner.
