British Cabinet minister Kemi Badenoch has said the United Kingdom is closely monitoring developments in Venezuela following the United States military operation against President Nicolás Maduro.
In a post on X, Badenoch described the situation as fast-moving and extremely serious, saying she would not rush to judgment or speculate based on incomplete information.
She stated that the UK’s responsibility was to understand the facts as they emerged, assess national interests, and consider the potential consequences for Venezuela’s people, as well as for regional and global stability.
“There’s a lot of noise from people who couldn’t find Venezuela on a map yesterday,” Badenoch wrote.
She said priority should be given to the views of Venezuelans who are risking their lives in pursuit of democratic change.
Badenoch added that it was not for external actors to second-guess motives or evidence behind the unfolding events from afar, noting that further clarity was expected from the United States administration and from Venezuela’s democratic opposition.
The remarks came after US President Donald Trump announced that American forces had carried out a military operation in Venezuela, which he said resulted in the capture of Maduro and his wife.
Trump said the operation was coordinated with US law enforcement agencies and that Maduro would face criminal proceedings in the United States.
In Britain, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the UK was not involved in the US military action and emphasised the need to respect international law.
He said the government was working to establish the full facts of the situation and was monitoring the safety of British nationals in Venezuela.
Maduro, who has been in power since 2013, has long been at odds with Washington.
The United States has previously accused his government of corruption and drug trafficking and imposed wide-ranging sanctions on Venezuela. Maduro has consistently rejected the accusations, describing them as politically motivated.
International responses to the reported US operation have been divided. Some governments have expressed concern about sovereignty and the use of force, while others have focused on the implications for Venezuela’s prolonged political and economic crisis.
Meanwhile, Badenoch said the UK would watch closely what is said by President Trump and by leaders of Venezuela’s democratic opposition before drawing conclusions or outlining a formal policy response.
“It is not for us to second guess from afar the motives and evidence behind these events. Let’s hear what President Trump has to say shortly. I will also be watching closely what is said by Venezuela’s democratic opposition” she said
Trump has also announced that the US will be running the country, until proper grounds are reached for a proper democratic process for the country.
