UK Citizens in Venezuela

Lord Woodley Excerpts

Thursday 4th December 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

Our obligations to those in overseas territories are very different, and they are clearly prioritised in circumstances when disasters kick in. We have very limited diplomatic relations with Venezuela; at the moment, we have a chargé in Caracas. At this stage, we do not plan to withdraw that, but we are keeping a very close eye. I have spoken to the team there on many occasions, and what they are doing is still of value and their safety is assured. As long as this is the case, I do not see us withdrawing it immediately. Clearly, given the changing situation, we are keeping it under review.

[Lord Woodley (Lab)]

My Lords, it is very clear that our Government are nervous about directly criticising Trump. It is undeniable that the extrajudicial killings he has ordered in blowing up small boats off the coast of Venezuela are a grave violation of international law. Does the Minister agree that the notorious double strike that we heard so much about in September, which saw two people murdered while clinging to a boat, should be and must be thoroughly condemned?

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

I am not here to second-guess legal advice or the situation in regard to any specific incident in the Caribbean. What the US does with regard to Venezuela and its position on its activities in the Caribbean are clearly a matter for the US.