Maduro Arrives in US as UK Supports Venezuela's Transition

Nicolas Maduro, the former leader of Venezuela, has arrived in New York to face criminal charges brought by the United States. This development has been supported by UK authorities, who are backing a transition of power in the oil-rich South American country.

US President Donald Trump confirmed that the country’s leader and his wife, Cilia Flores, were flown out of Caracas and indicted on "narco-terrorism" charges following strikes that occurred early on Saturday. The move marks a significant shift in the political landscape of Venezuela, with international attention focused on the implications of this action.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, expressed his stance on the matter, stating that his administration would not mourn the end of Maduro’s regime. He emphasized the UK's commitment to supporting a transition of power in Venezuela and reaffirmed the importance of international law. Starmer mentioned that discussions with US counterparts would take place in the coming days to ensure a safe and peaceful transition to a legitimate government that reflects the will of the Venezuelan people.

An emergency meeting of the UN Security Council has been scheduled for Monday, highlighting the global significance of the situation. Starmer was cautious about commenting on whether the military action violated international law, stating that he wanted to speak with President Trump and allies to "establish the facts."

Approximately 500 UK nationals are currently in Venezuela, and efforts are underway to safeguard their safety. The Foreign Office has advised against all travel to the country, reflecting the heightened concerns surrounding the current events.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump shared an image that appeared to show Maduro blindfolded aboard the US warship Iwo Jima, heading to New York. This visual representation of the operation has sparked widespread discussion and speculation about the next steps for Venezuela.

The attack involved explosions and low-flying aircraft over the Venezuelan capital early on Saturday. US Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that Maduro had been indicted on charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and cocaine importation conspiracy.

Labour backbenchers and opposition politicians have called for the Prime Minister to condemn the military action and adopt a stronger stance against the US president. This has led to increased scrutiny of the UK's response to the situation in Venezuela.

On Sunday, the White House's rapid response account on X posted a video showing Maduro handcuffed and escorted by law enforcement agents. The caption accompanying the video was "perp walked," indicating the official stance on the matter.

Sir Keir's statement came after European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, also called for a democratic transition in Venezuela. The UN Secretary-General voiced concerns that the rules of international law had not been respected during the operation.

Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel stated that "nobody will shed tears" over the removal of the Venezuelan president. She emphasized the need for the full facts about the US operation and the importance of ensuring democratic norms and freedoms for the Venezuelan people.

Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey urged the Prime Minister to rebuke what he described as the US leader's "illegal action" in Venezuela. He argued that while Maduro is a brutal and illegitimate dictator, unlawful attacks like this compromise global safety.

Green Party leader Zack Polanski criticized the US president for acting with impunity. He called on the PM and Foreign Secretary to condemn the illegal strike and breach of international human rights law.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage suggested that the US's "unorthodox" military operation in Venezuela could serve as a deterrent to future aggression from Russia and China.

Venezuela's highest court has ordered vice president Delcy Rodriguez to assume the role of interim president, according to The Associated Press. This development signals a potential shift in the country's leadership structure.

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