UK Government Maintains Cautious Stance on US Action in Venezuela While Firmly Backing Greenland’s Sovereignty
Britain refrains from condemning the US capture of Nicolás Maduro and reiterates support for Denmark’s control over Greenland amid rising diplomatic tensions
The United Kingdom has adopted a measured diplomatic position in response to the United States’ recent military capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, emphasising support for international law and democratic transition while championing the sovereignty of Greenland.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has refrained from criticising the American operation and has stated that it is for the United States to justify its actions, even as London underscores that Britain was not involved in the military raid or capture.
In remarks to reporters, Starmer said that only Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark should determine the future of the territory after renewed assertions by the US about its strategic interests in the Arctic.
He reiterated that the UK stands with Denmark in defending Greenland’s autonomy and that no external party should decide its destiny.
This stance has been echoed by other European leaders who have jointly affirmed Greenland’s rights under Danish sovereignty in the face of provocative rhetoric about potential US ambitions in the region.
On the situation in Venezuela, Starmer’s government has maintained that the UK government was not involved in the US operation, focusing instead on supporting British nationals in Venezuela and monitoring developments closely.
While Labour ministers have not formally condemned the US action, some MPs from across the British political spectrum have expressed concerns about the legal and geopolitical implications of unilateral military interventions.
A senior cabinet minister described the Maduro capture as symptomatic of broader stresses on the rules-based international system, reflecting unease about actions that could undermine long-established norms.
The British Foreign Secretary has emphasised that international law remains the benchmark against which all actions are judged, and that a peaceful, democratic transition in Venezuela is in the UK’s strategic interest.
At the same time, the government has reaffirmed its commitment to alliances and partnerships that respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of allied nations.
The nuanced posture of London — refraining from outright condemnation of Washington while advocating for legal frameworks and sovereign rights — underscores Britain’s effort to balance strong transatlantic ties with a principled commitment to international order and allied sovereignty.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has refrained from criticising the American operation and has stated that it is for the United States to justify its actions, even as London underscores that Britain was not involved in the military raid or capture.
In remarks to reporters, Starmer said that only Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark should determine the future of the territory after renewed assertions by the US about its strategic interests in the Arctic.
He reiterated that the UK stands with Denmark in defending Greenland’s autonomy and that no external party should decide its destiny.
This stance has been echoed by other European leaders who have jointly affirmed Greenland’s rights under Danish sovereignty in the face of provocative rhetoric about potential US ambitions in the region.
On the situation in Venezuela, Starmer’s government has maintained that the UK government was not involved in the US operation, focusing instead on supporting British nationals in Venezuela and monitoring developments closely.
While Labour ministers have not formally condemned the US action, some MPs from across the British political spectrum have expressed concerns about the legal and geopolitical implications of unilateral military interventions.
A senior cabinet minister described the Maduro capture as symptomatic of broader stresses on the rules-based international system, reflecting unease about actions that could undermine long-established norms.
The British Foreign Secretary has emphasised that international law remains the benchmark against which all actions are judged, and that a peaceful, democratic transition in Venezuela is in the UK’s strategic interest.
At the same time, the government has reaffirmed its commitment to alliances and partnerships that respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of allied nations.
The nuanced posture of London — refraining from outright condemnation of Washington while advocating for legal frameworks and sovereign rights — underscores Britain’s effort to balance strong transatlantic ties with a principled commitment to international order and allied sovereignty.
