Keir Starmer faces revolt by Labour's Maduro apologists: Party tears itself apart as Left-wing MPs demand the Prime Minister condemns Donald Trump's attack on Venezuela
Sir Keir Starmer has refused to describe the capture of president Nicolas Maduro as an illegal act in breach of international law.
By CLAIRE ELLICOTT WHITEHALL EDITOR
Published: 00:26 GMT, 5 January 2026 | Updated: 07:11 GMT, 5 January 2026
Labour was tearing itself apart on Sunday night as MPs demanded the Prime Minister condemn the US attack on Venezuela.
Sir Keir Starmer has refused to describe the capture of president Nicolas Maduro as an illegal act in breach of international law.
But he is under increasing pressure from Left-wing hardliners – who have already forced him to backtrack on major policies – to criticise the UK's greatest ally.
Labour MPs lined up to accuse Sir Keir of double standards for claiming he would 'shed no tears' over the capture of Maduro despite denouncing Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine. They warned his decision to support Donald Trump's devastating attack would forever 'haunt his legacy'.
It comes after Mr Trump authorised an audacious raid on the South American country on Saturday which culminated in US special forces capturing Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. It has emerged that Operation Absolute Resolve may have killed 40 people, including almost all of Maduro's security team, but there were no US fatalities.
The US President has vowed to 'run' the oil-rich country in the meantime – a move which has been widely condemned by other nations.
Sir Keir Starmer refused to describe the capture of president Nicolas Maduro as an illegal act in breach of international law
Nicolas Maduro pictured being escorted by DEA agents on landing on US soil following his dramatic capture
Maduro and his wife are due to appear in court on Monday accused of participating in a 'narco-terrorism' conspiracy. It came as:
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisted the US was not 'at war' with the people of Venezuela;
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Mr Trump warned the country's new interim leader Delcy Rodriguez that she would pay a bigger price than Maduro if she 'didn't do what's right';
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Fears grew that other countries including Cuba could be targeted, while Mr Trump suggested Greenland could be next, insisting the US 'needed' the island for security;
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Pope Leo said he was watching developments with a 'soul full of concern' and called for justice and peace 'while guaranteeing the country's sovereignty';
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The Venezuelan army demanded Maduro's 'immediate release' and condemned the US's 'colonialist ambition'.
Following the dramatic strikes, countries including France, Germany and Canada warned that international law should be respected, while the United Nations said it was deeply concerned.