UK ‘not involved in any way’ in strike on Venezuela, Starmer says

The UK was “not involved in any way” in the US strike on Venezuela, Sir Keir Starmer has said.

The Prime Minister said he wanted to speak to US President Donald Trump and “establish the facts” after the overnight operation which saw multiple explosions ring out and low-flying aircraft sweep over Caracas.

The US president said that Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, along with his wife Cilia Flores, had been captured and flown out of the country after months of pressure from Washington.

He is expected to hold a news conference later.

Asked whether he had spoken to Trump on Saturday, Sir Keir said: “No, I haven’t, and it’s obviously a fast-moving situation, and we need to establish all the facts.

“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.

“I think President Trump is doing a press conference later, so hopefully more information will come out then.”

Asked whether he condemned the action, the Prime Minister said: “I want to establish the facts first. I want to speak to President Trump, I want to speak to allies.”

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.”