UK Citizens in Venezuela

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle Excerpts

Thursday 4th December 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

We have been very clear in our support for Guyana on this issue, and these sorts of disputes must be resolved through the legal and diplomatic means which are available. Occasionally, the Essequibo issue is raised in Venezuelan politics, and noble Lords can form their own judgments about why this might happen at any particular time. From the UK’s point of view, we are absolutely clear about where the border needs to be, and that has not changed.

[Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (GP)]

My Lords, according to the US Energy Information Administration, Venezuela has about one-fifth of the world’s global oil reserves—an estimated 303 billion barrels—and the single largest-known mass of crude oil. Are the Government keeping this in mind in their approach to the issues in Venezuela, given the world’s need to keep the vast bulk of this oil in the ground in this climate emergency?

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

One of the many tragedies of this situation is that Venezuela ought to be a prosperous, stable country that is able to provide a good life for its citizens; that is not the case. Our concerns are around civil liberties, democracy, the rule of law, the safety and protection of civilians and their rights and the fact that their wishes have not been reflected in their democratic choices. The noble Baroness is right that Venezuela ought to be doing far better than it has been able to do. Whether or not the oil comes out of the ground, it is a wonderful, spectacular country, and it is just tragic to see what has happened to it in recent years.