| Let me be clear - Nicolás Maduro is a brutal and illegitimate dictator whose regime has unleashed untold suffering on the Venezuelan people. But that doesn’t give Trump a free pass to break international law.
Trump’s refusal to back Maduro’s brave, liberal opponent, Maria Corina Machado, shows he has no interest in Venezuelan democracy. Instead, he believes he can grab anything he wants and get away with it. This time, oil.
Trump’s intervention sends a dangerous signal to dictators across the world that they can attack other countries with impunity.
As Russia attacks Ukraine and meddles in countries across Europe, including our own, while China threatens Taiwan and others in Asia, Trump is giving a green light to the likes of Putin and Xi to attack any countries they disagree with.
And Trump himself won’t stop with Venezuela. He’s already threatening Colombia, Cuba and Greenland. If we don’t stand up to him now, what will he do next?
The Labour Government must finally start standing up to Trump. Keir Starmer must condemn him for breaking international law and show him – and other leaders – that such actions will not be tolerated.
As Liberal Democrats, we will always stand up to authoritarianism by championing the liberal, rules-based international order. This really matters at a time when it’s under such widespread attack.
Best wishes, |
