The UK has raised the importance of complying with international law with the US government following their military action in Venezuela, the foreign secretary has told MPs.
Speaking in the House of Commons on Monday, Yvette Cooper declined to say that the US had broken international law, despite calls from MPs of all parties for her to do so, and said the “immediate focus” needed to be avoiding “further instability” in Venezuela.
US airstrikes were carried out across the South American country in the early hours of Saturday, when President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured and flown to the US, arriving in New York on Sunday, where they have faced drug trafficking and weapons charges.
Addressing MPs on Monday evening, the foreign secretary said she had spoken to her US counterpart, Marco Rubio, and that she “raised the importance of complying with international law and we will continue to urge all partners to do so”.
Ms Cooper continued: “It is, of course, for the US to set out the legal basis for their actions and the UN Security Council is discussing Venezuela this afternoon. These issues will continue to be matters for international discussion.
“I discussed with Secretary Rubio what should happen next and our continued commitment to a transition to a peaceful and stable democracy.
“Our collective immediate focus must be on avoiding any deterioration in Venezuela into further instability, criminality, repression or violence that would be deeply damaging for the people of Venezuela, our own overseas territories, our allies and in the US and other regional partners.”
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The UK’s most senior diplomat said later of Maduro that “a man who is currently being investigated for crimes against humanity and who has such a history of political repression as well as economic destruction and corruption should not be leading a country”.
Ms Cooper opened her statement with criticism of Maduro for his “authoritarian rule” and criticised his links to Russia and said his regime facilitated “organised criminal activity and narcotics trafficking and illegal gold trading”.
“That undermines the security of the whole region, including UK overseas territories, as well as the United States and other regional partners,” she said.
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Ms Cooper noted opposition figures had been forced out of the country, saying: “These are the hallmarks of a regime that clings to power through fear, coercion and violence, not through democratic consent.
“And that is why, as the prime minister said on Saturday, we can shed no tears for the end of Maduro’s rule.”
But Your Party co-founder and former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has said that Maduro is still “constitutionally” the leader of Venezuela.
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Speaking to Darren McCaffrey on Sky’s Politics Hub, it was put to the former Labour leader that lots of countries and international organisations say both the 2019 and 2024 Venezuelan elections were stolen by Maduro.
Mr Corbyn replied: “That is the assessment made by quite a lot of organisations. It is not the assessment made by everybody in Venezuela. There are people who clearly do support Maduro and still do support Maduro.”
While he said he is “disturbed” by an Amnesty report setting out human rights abuses by the Maduro regime, Mr Corbyn insisted he is the legitimate leader, saying: “Constitutionally, he is the head. Who are we to decide?”
The independent MP for Islington North went on to describe the US military action as “a violation of every aspect of international law” that has been condemned by governments “that were not terribly supportive of Maduro”.
Asked if Maduro was a “decent man”, as the deposed president described himself in court today, Mr Corbyn said: “He’s the president of Venezuela, and the issue is the illegality of what the United States has done.”
But the foreign secretary told MPs that Maduro’s regime clung to power “through fear, coercion and violence, not through democratic consent”, which is why the UK “can shed no tears” for the end of his rule.
Ms Cooper also said that she had today spoken to opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, adding: “Her unwavering fight for democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Venezuela and against oppression is inspirational and we will keep in touch over the days and weeks ahead.”
The UK’s endorsement of Machado contrasts with Donald Trump’s position. He said on Saturday that it would be “very tough for her to be the leader”, and that she lacks the “respect” and “support” to lead the country.
Ms Machado has been a member of Venezuela’s national assembly, and has run as a presidential candidate, although was barred from standing in 2024, and said she had been forced into hiding following the election.
She won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2025 for her work – ahead of Mr Trump.
