Starmer delivers masterclass in hedging his bets after Venezuela raid

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 3 min read 100% complete by Pippa Crerar Political editorJanuary 5, 2026 at 08:41 PM

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Following the US-led raid and capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, the UK government, led by Keir Starmer, has adopted a cautious approach. Starmer acknowledged Maduro's illegitimacy but reiterated support for international law, avoiding direct condemnation of the US action. This stance aims to avoid offending the US, particularly with trade deals and peace negotiations in Ukraine at stake. While opposition parties and some within the government have urged stronger condemnation, citing potential emboldening of China and Russia, the UK government maintains that the situation doesn't warrant comparison to a full-scale invasion of a sovereign state. The UK's "realpolitik route" prioritizes strategic interests over outright condemnation.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Nigel Farage 30% Emily Thornberry 30% China ×240% Russia ×240% CIA 50% Ukraine ×250% UK ×360% Nicolás Maduro (Maduro) ×370% United States ×370% Venezuela ×270% Donald Trump ×780% Keir Starmer ×290%

Keywords

venezuela raid 90% keir starmer 80% donald trump 70% international law 70% nicolás maduro 60% diplomatic tightrope 60% political hedging 60% realpolitik 50% us foreign policy 50% uk government 50%