UK Citizens in Venezuela

Lord Anderson of Swansea Excerpts

Thursday 4th December 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

It will be updated if it needs to be changed; just because it has not changed does not mean it is not reviewed. Unfortunately, Venezuela is now in an “all but essential” category, and certain border areas are in a red category. That being said, our citizens do not always adhere to the advice of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. We estimate that there are around 500 British nationals in Venezuela. They are mostly going to be dual nationals or people who have lived there for a very long time and who understand the limited nature of the consular assistance that we are able to provide.

[Lord Anderson of Swansea (Lab)]

My Lords, given the limited numbers in our embassy, are we confident that we have means of communicating with those British nationals? What contingency arrangements have been or are proposed to be made with neighbouring countries such as Trinidad and Tobago?

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

My noble friend is right that there is a limited team currently in Caracas, but it is incredibly well led and very effective. It is also served by the country-based staff, who do a tremendous job. Communications are a challenge, and knowing exactly where British nationals are—they are under no obligation to let us know—can be difficult. Most of the British nationals that we are aware of are people who are well used to living in Venezuela and are well supported. They rely on their own local networks, but our team is there to provide support, limited though it may be, should that be needed.