General Discussion

GJGCA

(233 posts) Sat Jan 3, 2026, 04:38 PM Saturday

BBC: European leaders react to Venezuela operation

UK: Prime Minister Keir Starmer says the UK was not involved in the operation and he wants to speak to Trump "to establish the facts first" before commenting further.

France: President Emmanuel Macron calls for the Maduro's 2024 opposition candidate – Edmundo González – who he refers to as "president", to oversee a "peaceful, democratic" transition.

Germany: Maduro "led his country to ruin", says Chancellor Friedrich Merz, but adds the government is taking time to decide if US actions broke international law.

Italy: Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says that "external military action is not the way to put an end to totalitarian regimes", but adds it is "legitimate" to defend against "attacks on one's own security".

https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c5yqygxe41pt

Live coverage site, scrolling required

4 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

BBC: European leaders react to Venezuela operation (Original Post) GJGCA Saturday OP

Universal translation underpants Saturday #1

Select quotes from Macron... he's actually jubilant. WarGamer Saturday #2

More from UK PM: We shed no tears GJGCA Saturday #3

If this is how Europe feels...will they help their old friend the US out?? RockCreek Saturday #4

underpants

(194,922 posts)

1. Universal translation

Reply to GJGCA (Original post)

Sat Jan 3, 2026, 04:40 PM

Saturday

They weren’t briefed. Even England doesn’t appear to have been told.

WarGamer

(18,249 posts)

2. Select quotes from Macron... he's actually jubilant.

Reply to GJGCA (Original post)

Sat Jan 3, 2026, 04:41 PM

Saturday

GJGCA

(233 posts)

3. More from UK PM: We shed no tears

Reply to GJGCA (Original post)

Sat Jan 3, 2026, 06:24 PM

Saturday

Prime Minister Keir Starmer says the UK has "long supported a transition of power in Venezuela".

Starmer says in a post on X: "We regarded Maduro as an illegitimate President and we shed no tears about the end of his regime. I reiterated my support for international law this morning."

He adds that the UK government will discuss the "evolving situation with US counterparts" in the coming days and "seek a safe and peaceful transition to a legitimate government that reflects the will of the Venezuelan people".

(Source = same BBC live coverage)

RockCreek

(1,294 posts)

4. If this is how Europe feels...will they help their old friend the US out??

Reply to GJGCA (Original post)

Sat Jan 3, 2026, 07:01 PM

Saturday

We need some help with our current executive branch.
We'll work on the judicial once you've given us a little aid with the executive.
Please....

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