UK Backs Political Transition in Venezuela

(MENAFN) British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reaffirmed on Saturday that the UK has long supported political change in Venezuela, declaring: “We regarded (Nicolas) Maduro as an illegitimate president and we shed no tears about the end of his regime.”

Earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump announced that Washington had conducted a "large scale strike" against Venezuela, resulting in the capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. They were flown out of the country and are en route to the US, where they are expected to face trial.

The strikes followed months of mounting US pressure on Maduro, whom Washington accuses of involvement in drug trafficking. Maduro rejected the allegations and had previously expressed willingness to engage in dialogue.

In a post on the social media platform X, Starmer added: "I reiterated my support for international law this morning. The UK government will discuss the evolving situation with US counterparts in the days ahead as we seek a safe and peaceful transition to a legitimate government that reflects the will of the Venezuelan people."

Trump further stated that Washington would temporarily oversee Venezuela’s government following Maduro’s capture. “We're going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,” he told reporters at a press conference in Florida, accompanied by senior Cabinet members including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

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