Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on January 5, 2026
2 min readLast updated: January 20, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleKeir Starmer urges the US to justify its actions in Venezuela, emphasizing international law and a peaceful transition to democracy.
LONDON, Jan 5 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday it was up to the United States to justify its actions in Venezuela after capturing President Nicolas Maduro, describing the situation as "not straightforward."
"What we need in Venezuela is a peaceful transition to democracy. That was our position before this weekend, it remains our position," Starmer told reporters.
"International law is the framework, is the anchor or the benchmark, against which we judge the actions of all other governments. And it is, of course, for the U.S. to justify the action that it has taken. It is not straightforward. It is complicated, and even today, there are further developments."
The United States captured Maduro in a raid early on Saturday and took him to New York to face drug-trafficking charges.
A spokesperson for Starmer said the U.S. raid was not comparable to Russia's full invasion of Ukraine.
Britain has repeatedly called President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine illegal, and imposed what it said was the largest ever set of sanctions against Russia.
"I think comparisons between the developments over the weekend, and the unprovoked, full-scale invasion of a sovereign democratic state doesn’t bare comparison,” Starmer’s spokesperson told reporters.
"We have always been clear ... that Maduro’s rule in Venezuela is fraudulent."
(Reporting by Sam Tabahriti and Andrew MacAskill; editing by William James)
International law refers to a set of rules and principles that govern the relations and dealings of nations with each other. It includes treaties, conventions, and customs that countries recognize as binding.
A drug-trafficking charge is a legal accusation against an individual or group for the illegal trade of controlled substances. This can include manufacturing, distributing, or selling drugs.
Economic growth is an increase in the production of goods and services in an economy over a period of time. It is often measured by the rise in a country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Foreign currency refers to the money used in other countries, which is different from the domestic currency. It is often traded in foreign exchange markets.
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