LONDON — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for a peaceful and orderly transition of power in Venezuela following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces, signaling Britain’s support for the end of a government it has long considered illegitimate while carefully distancing itself from Washington’s unilateral military action.
In a formal statement, Starmer made clear that the United Kingdom did not mourn Maduro’s removal. “The UK has long supported a transition of power in Venezuela,” he said. “We regarded Maduro as an illegitimate president, and we shed no tears about the end of his regime.”
At the same time, Starmer struck a cautious tone, emphasizing diplomacy and restraint as Venezuela enters a volatile and uncertain phase. Despite a dramatic overnight U.S. operation that reportedly disrupted power in parts of Caracas and led to Maduro’s capture, American forces are not believed to have secured control over the country as a whole. How President Donald Trump’s administration intends to manage the aftermath remains unclear.
“The UK government will engage with international partners to support a safe and peaceful transition to a legitimate government that reflects the will of the Venezuelan people,” Starmer said, underscoring Britain’s preference for a negotiated political process rather than prolonged instability.
In earlier remarks to the BBC, Starmer, a former human rights lawyer, stressed the importance of international law but declined to say whether the U.S. operation violated it, reflecting the government’s careful balancing act between alliance solidarity and legal principle.
The events have triggered sharp debate across Britain’s political spectrum. According to Reuters, leaders of the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party criticized both President Trump’s actions and Starmer’s reluctance to adopt a more confrontational stance toward Washington. By contrast, the opposition Conservative Party welcomed Maduro’s removal, reiterating its view that his presidency lacked democratic legitimacy.
Downing Street said it remains in close contact with U.S. officials as the situation evolves, with an emphasis on diplomatic coordination and avoiding further violence. As Venezuela stands at a crossroads, Britain is positioning itself as a supporter of change but one anchored in stability, legality, and international consensus.
