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  • Andrew Mitchell – 2026 Comments on Venezuela

    Andrew Mitchell – 2026 Comments on Venezuela

    The comments made by Andrew Mitchell, the Conservative MP for Sutton Coldfield, in the House of Commons on 5 January 2026.

    Of course quite a lot depends on what now happens, but Mr Maduro stole the elections in Venezuela in plain sight, is a narco-terrorist and has destroyed the lives of tens of thousands of American citizens and of those more widely and made huge amounts of money out of it. Is not the world a better place with him before the courts in New York, and in this case do not the ends justify the means?

    Yvette Cooper

    Venezuela is in a stronger position without Maduro leading it, especially given the horrendous human rights abuses and the huge damage to its economy, but as the right hon. Member implied at the beginning of his question, what happens next is really important. The UK is determined to do everything we can to ensure that there is a transition to democracy and stability, because Venezuela will not have stability without a proper democratic transition.

  • Tom Tugendhat – 2026 Comments on Venezuela

    Tom Tugendhat – 2026 Comments on Venezuela

    The comments made by Tom Tugendhat, the Conservative MP for Tonbridge, in the House of Commons on 5 January 2026.

    Surely the real story coming out today and over the past few days is the revelation—one we should all have known—that this country has opted out of protecting the international rules-based system. We have not significantly invested in defence, and even the commitment the Foreign Secretary speaks of does not keep pace with defence inflation. As the Prime Minister revealed on Sunday, he has not even spoken to the American President. Does this not reveal the simple truth that the Americans did this without us because they do not give a damn what this House thinks?

    Yvette Cooper

    I guess I would just have to ask who it was who did not significantly invest in defence over the past 14 years. This Government are substantially increasing investment in defence, chairing the coalition of the willing, and showing leadership on the international stage. What has struck me since becoming Foreign Secretary, and having had discussions with Governments from across the world over the past few months, is how often those Governments say how welcome it is that Britain is back.

  • John Whittingdale – 2026 Comments on Venezuela

    John Whittingdale – 2026 Comments on Venezuela

    The comments made by John Whittingdale, the Conservative MP for Maldon, in the House of Commons on 5 January 2026.

    The Maduro and Chávez regime was characterised by widespread human rights abuse, criminality and economic destitution, and many Venezuelans are rightly and understandably celebrating its end. However, I have to say to the Foreign Secretary that after more than half an hour, it is still not clear whether the UK Government actually agree with what has been done. She referred to the discussion taking place at the UN Security Council at the moment—can she say what the UK’s position will be at that meeting?

    Yvette Cooper

    I set out our position at the beginning of the statement: we have long supported a peaceful transition from an authoritarian regime to a democracy. We shed no tears for the removal of Maduro, but we want a peaceful transition to the establishment of a democracy, which we do not yet have in Venezuela. That is what we will work towards. We will always argue for the upholding of international law.

  • Dan Carden – 2026 Comments on Venezuela

    Dan Carden – 2026 Comments on Venezuela

    The comments made by Dan Carden, the Labour MP for Liverpool Walton, in the House of Commons on 5 January 2026.

    I welcome the Foreign Secretary’s statement on an incredibly complex international situation. Maduro stole elections and murdered opponents, and 9 million Venezuelans were forced to flee their country. Venezuelans will be both fearful and hopeful for the future. This episode shows the US shifting to the western hemisphere, leaving European security more exposed, and the willingness of the US to interfere in foreign states, with serious implications for our NATO ally Denmark. Does the Foreign Secretary agree that what the UK can now usefully do is use any influence we have to pursue Venezuela’s transition to democracy, learn from this event, and accelerate the meeting of our defence and national security commitments?

    Yvette Cooper

    My hon. Friend is exactly right about the fear and hope felt by many people in Venezuela; we have had that reflected back to us over the weekend. That is why we are doing everything we can—we are in an unusual position, given our experience and relationships—to promote and support a transition to democracy. I also agree about the importance of increasing our defence investment; that is why we now have the biggest increase in defence investment since the end of the cold war.

  • Jeremy Hunt – 2026 Comments on Venezuela

    Jeremy Hunt – 2026 Comments on Venezuela

    The comments made by Jeremy Hunt, the Conservative MP for Godalming and Ash, in the House of Commons on 5 January 2026.

    Most people’s thoughts on Maduro’s capture will be, “Good riddance”, and I would have liked the Government to have been more categorical in supporting US action to remove an illegitimate and evil dictator, but if the new US approach extends to the annexation of Greenland, the sovereign territory of a NATO member, it could mean the end of the alliance, with disastrous consequences. How much planning is going on at the Foreign Office to make sure that such a disaster does not happen? We understand that discussions between allies have to be private, but from the outside, it looks like Europe is weak and divided. Can the Foreign Secretary reassure the House that the right conversations are happening, and that we are not just hoping for the best?

    Yvette Cooper

    Let me reiterate our strong support for the Greenlanders and for Denmark. Greenland is part of the kingdom of Denmark, and its future is for them to decide, not anybody else, notwithstanding any of the things that we have heard the US and others say. We are very clear about that. I have raised this issue internationally, and we will continue to do so. We are very firm in our view on this point.

  • Richard Burgon – 2026 Comments on Venezuela

    Richard Burgon – 2026 Comments on Venezuela

    The comments made by Richard Burgon, the Labour MP for Leeds East, in the House of Commons on 5 January 2026.

    It was the Prime Minister who decided to disregard the United Nations charter when it came to Trump’s bombing and killing, and his kidnapping the Head of State. It speaks volumes that the Prime Minister has chosen not to come to this House to explain his decision. The reality is that if it were Putin doing this, the Prime Minister would not be saying, “It’s up to the Russians to decide whether or not this is legal,” but that is exactly what the Prime Minister has said in relation to Trump’s disgusting attack on Venezuela. Is not the reality that the Prime Minister is willing to ditch international law and side-step the United Nations charter in order to appease Donald Trump, and does not that cowardly, craven approach drag this country’s reputation through the dirt?

    Yvette Cooper

    I find it hard not to remember my hon. Friend’s support and welcome for the Maduro regime, a regime that is currently being investigated for crimes against humanity.

  • NEWS STORY : Starmer and Norway’s Støre Discuss Ukraine Planning and High North Maritime Security ahead of Paris Talks

    NEWS STORY : Starmer and Norway’s Støre Discuss Ukraine Planning and High North Maritime Security ahead of Paris Talks

    STORY

    Sir Keir Starmer has spoken to Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre ahead of a meeting of the so-called ‘Coalition of the Willing’ in Paris, Downing Street said.

    According to the UK readout, the Prime Minister said the Paris meeting would provide a further chance to integrate US planning with the coalition’s work on the “cessation of hostilities”, with both leaders agreeing it was vital to keep up momentum towards what they described as a just and lasting peace.

    The two leaders also discussed maritime security in the High North, building on what the statement called already close UK–Norway cooperation, and said they looked forward to speaking again in Paris.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer call with Prime Minister Støre of Norway [January 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer call with Prime Minister Støre of Norway [January 2026]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 5 January 2026.

    The Prime Minister spoke to the Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Støre today, ahead of the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in Paris.

    Tomorrow’s meeting would offer further opportunity to integrate US and Coalition of the Willing planning for the cessation of hostilities, the Prime Minister said.

    It was vital all parties sustained the momentum towards a just and lasting peace, the leaders agreed.

    The leaders also discussed maritime security in the High North, building on the UK and Norway’s already close cooperation.

    They looked forward to speaking again in Paris.

  • Edward Leigh – 2026 Speech on Venezuela

    Edward Leigh – 2026 Speech on Venezuela

    The speech made by Edward Leigh, the Father of the House, in the House of Commons on 5 January 2026.

    At the end of the Foreign Secretary’s statement, I am no wiser on whether the Government approve this action, or on whether they believe that it breaks international law. The Prime Minister is such a devotee of international law that he is not prepared to defend our borders from the small boats, and to take the necessary action there. Why is there one law for the American President, when he is doing what is right for his country and defending it, but a different law for us? My simple question is this: do the Government believe that this breaks international law, and do they approve this action?

    Yvette Cooper

    As I said in my statement, and as the Prime Minister said on Saturday, there can be no tears shed for the Maduro regime, given the damage that it has done over many years. It is for the US to set out the legal position following its actions. We were not involved in those actions. We continue to be guided by international law in our approach, and we continue to work on the most important issue: getting a transition to peaceful democracy in Venezuela.

  • Ed Davey – 2026 Speech on Venezuela

    Ed Davey – 2026 Speech on Venezuela

    The speech made by Ed Davey, the Leader of the Liberal Democrats, in the House of Commons on 5 January 2026.

    I associate myself and my party with the Foreign Secretary’s comments about the tragedy in Crans-Montana.

    When President Reagan invaded Grenada, Margaret Thatcher said that

    “we in…the Western democracies…use our force to defend our way of life, we do not use it to walk into other people’s countries… We try to extend our beliefs not by force but by persuasion.”

    I am disappointed that we have heard nothing as clear and courageous from either the Prime Minister or the Foreign Secretary, or from today’s Conservative party.

    Maduro is a brutal, illegitimate dictator, but that does not give President Trump a free pass for illegal action. This was not about liberating the Venezuelan people. Trump’s refusal to back Nobel prize winner María Machado, Maduro’s brave liberal opponent, shows that Trump has no interest in Venezuelan democracy. This is about Trump believing he can grab anything he wants—this time, oil—and get away with it. We know what happens when an American President launches an illegal war under the pretext of an imminent threat. It is why we opposed the Iraq war, and why we condemn Trump today.

    National sovereignty matters and international law matters. Without them, the world is far more dangerous and we are all less safe. Anyone who thinks Trump’s actions will make China or Russia think twice is either hopelessly desperate or desperately naive. Putin and Xi will be using this precedent to strengthen their hands in Ukraine and Taiwan. Anyone who thinks Trump will stop with Venezuela has not read his new national security strategy. He is already threatening Colombia, Cuba and Greenland, and even democracies across Europe. Does the Foreign Secretary not realise how ridiculous it looks to refuse to call this what it is: a clear breach of international law? Will she at least publish all the advice the Government have received on the legality of Trump’s actions?

    Yvette Cooper

    Let me say to the right hon. Gentleman that we do, I hope, agree on the brutality of the Maduro dictatorship and that it is better for Venezuela not to be led by somebody like Maduro. Therefore, the most important thing now for Venezuela is for it to have a transition to democracy. I have spoken directly to the US Secretary of State about that and also about the potential role the UK can play. Unusually, we have a very senior and experienced chargé d’affaires in Venezuela, who has long-standing relationships with the Venezuelan opposition and the regime, and also, of course, we have a close relationship with the US. That puts us in a particular position and gives us a particular responsibility to ensure progress keeps being made towards that democratic transition. Stability will not be maintained unless there is a transition that has the will of the people.

    We have made very clear our commitment to international law and the way that it must guide our decisions and UK foreign policy. We will continue to raise it with our partners, both in public and in private. It is important that we do so. As for Government legal advice, the right hon. Gentleman will know that the ministerial code is very clear about the Government not publishing or commenting on different legal advice.