Britain has urged a safe and peaceful transition of power in Venezuela, using a formal statement at the United Nations to restate that any future government must reflect the will expressed by voters in the July 2024 presidential election. The comments were set out in an official UK Government statement published on GOV.UK.
Referencing years of hardship, the UK said the actions of the Maduro government have driven extreme poverty, violent repression and failures in basic services. It added that the consequences have reverberated across the region through large-scale displacement.
The government reiterated its long‑standing view that Nicolás Maduro’s claim to power is fraudulent. This position was explicitly restated in the UN forum.
On the conduct of the July 2024 vote, the UK said Venezuela’s National Electoral Council had not, at the time of the statement, published the full results. It also pointed to independent domestic and international reporting that recorded significant irregularities and a lack of transparency.
London said Venezuelans deserve a government that reflects their vote at the ballot box and is capable of delivering a more stable and prosperous future. The outcome sought is a transition achieved without violence.
The statement closed by reaffirming the UK’s commitment to international law and the principles set out in the Charter of the United Nations, described as essential to maintaining global peace, security and the rule of law.
No new policy instruments or timelines were announced in the text. The message consolidates existing UK policy on Venezuela and keeps international attention on electoral transparency and accountability via the UN system.
Policy Wire analysis: The focus on a peaceful, legitimate transition-combined with references to irregularities and unpublished results-indicates continuity rather than reset in the UK position. For stakeholders, this points to policy anchored in UN processes and legality while pressing for electoral clarity.