Kemi
By Ola Wale
Kemi Badenoch, the UK Conservative leader, has stated that the US military action in Venezuela was morally justified, despite questioning its legal basis. She described the intervention as “extraordinary” but understood the rationale behind it, given Nicolás Maduro’s leadership of a “brutal regime.
Badenoch, who grew up under military rule in Nigeria, empathized with the Venezuelan people, saying she’s glad Maduro is gone. However, she emphasized that US intervention shouldn’t be applied universally, citing the difference between democratic states and Venezuela’s “gangster state.
The UK government has avoided criticizing the US move or stating whether it breached international law, instead arguing that Maduro was an “illegitimate president”. In contrast, Labour MPs and opposition parties have called for the UK to condemn the action and describe it as illegal.
The US action has sparked concerns about international law and global norms. The UN Human Rights Office stated that the operation undermined a fundamental principle of international law and made the world less safe. Former US NSA John Bolton backed the action, saying it was in compliance with international law, but criticized Trump for not replacing the authoritarian regime.
Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, has been sworn in, and the US has charged Maduro with narco-terrorism. The situation remains uncertain, with analysts split on the implications for global politics and Venezuela’s future .
The international community is divided, with some supporting the action and others condemning it as a violation of sovereignty.
