UK Citizens in Venezuela

Lord Randall of Uxbridge Excerpts

Thursday 4th December 2025 Lords Chamber

[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.

[Lord Randall of Uxbridge (Con)]

My Lords, bearing in mind that Venezuela has an unwarranted territorial claim on neighbouring Guyana, can the Minister update us on the advice the Government would have for that particular Commonwealth country?

[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.