Explosions were heard across the Venezuelan capital earlier today – as Donald Trump claimed to have ‘captured’ the leader as part of his war on drug cartels
Sir Keir Starmer has insisted Britain was not involved in this morning’s US operation in Venezuela and expressed the “need” to speak to Donald Trump as a matter of urgency.
The Prime Minister said he has remained in the dark about the fast-moving situation in Venezuela but stressed his intention to talk to Mr Trump to establish the facts, as well as Britain’s allies.
It comes hours after Mr Trump claimed President Maduro and his wife had been ‘captured’ by the US and ‘flown out’ of Venezuela following a series of airstrikes on the capital Caracas.
Facing charges in the Southern District of New York, President Maduro is facing a slew of drugs and weapons charges.
Sir Keir said: “What I can say is that the UK was not involved in any way in this operation, and as you’d expect, we’re focusing on British nationals in Venezuela (and) working very closely with our embassy.
“I want to talk to the president. I will want to talk to allies, but at the moment, I think we need to establish the facts.”
Nicolas Maduro was captured this morning. Picture: Getty
He added: “I always say and believe we should all uphold international law, but I think at this stage, fast-moving situation, let’s establish the facts and take it from there.”
President Maduro’s charges include:
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- narco-terrorism conspiracy
- cocaine importation conspiracy
- possession of machine guns and destructive devices
- and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices against the US
Taking to X, US Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote: “They will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts.
“On behalf of the entire U.S. DOJ, I would like to thank President Trump for having the courage to demand accountability on behalf of the American People, and a huge thank you to our brave military who conducted the incredible and highly successful mission to capture these two alleged international narco traffickers.”
The news comes as Sir Keir Starmer says he has not yet spoken to Donald Trump about the “fast moving situation”, but went on to add: “I will want to talk to the president, I will want to talk to allies.”
When asked about Trump’s claims that he had ‘captured’ Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, Starmer was seen to add: “I want to establish the facts first.
By Jacob Paul
