Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has delivered his verdict on Donald Trump’s decision to launch airstrikes against Venezuela this morning.
The US President also confirmed American special forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife shortly after the 30-minute aerial blitz.
Mr Farage, who has been friends with Mr Trump since 2016, delivered a surprising response to the operation earlier this morning.
The Reform UK leader said: “The American actions in Venezuela overnight are unorthodox and contrary to international law — but if they make China and Russia think twice, it may be a good thing.
“I hope the Venezuelan people can now turn a new leaf without Maduro.”
However, this is not the first time Mr Farage has appeared to somewhat distance himself from the US President.
The Reform UK leader has disagreed with the US President over the war in Ukraine, rejecting the suggestion that Volodymyr Zelensky is a “dictator” and later opposing Washington’s “unacceptable” 28-part peace plan.
Despite stopping short of offering his wholehearted support, Mr Farage struck a different tone to his left-wing political rivals.
Disgraced former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn described the operation as an “unprovoked and illegal attack” against Venezuela.
The Your Party co-leader said: “This is a brazen attempt to secure control over Venezuelan natural resources.”
“It is an act of war that puts the lives of millions of people at risk — and should be condemned by anyone who believes in sovereignty and international law.”
Meanwhile, Green Party leader Zack Polanski put direct pressure on the Prime Minister to condemn Mr Trump.
He said: “The PM and Foreign Secretary should be condemning this illegal strike and breach of international human rights law.
“After years of arming a genocide and worshipping the ‘special relationship’, Trump now believes he can act with impunity.”
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey also opted to call on the Prime Minister to stand up to the US President.
“Keir Starmer should condemn Trump’s illegal action in Venezuela,” Sir Ed wrote on social media.
“Maduro is a brutal and illegitimate dictator, but unlawful attacks like this make us all less safe.
“Trump is giving a green light to the likes of Putin and Xi to attack other countries with impunity.”
The Prime Minister is yet to respond to Mr Trump’s attack on Venezuela.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch is also yet to release a statement.
However, world leaders have instead insisted they will continue to monitor the situation in Venezuela.
The European Union’s security chief Kaja Kallas said: “The EU has repeatedly stated that Mr Maduro lacks legitimacy and has defended a peaceful transition.
“Under all circumstances, the principles of international law and the UN Charter must be respected. We call for restraint.”
Meanwhile, foreign policy think tank Chatham House claimed Mr Trump had no justification for carrying out his operation.
Marc Weller, Chatham House’s programme director for international law, said: “International law prohibits the use of force as a means of national policy.
“Short of a UN Chapter VII mandate, force is only available in response to an armed attack or possibly to rescue a population under imminent threat of extermination.
“Clearly, none of these requirements are fulfilled by the armed operation against Venezuela.
“The US interest in repressing the drugs trade or claims that the Maduro Government was in essence a criminal enterprise offers no legal justification.”