Wednesday briefing: What Europe’s silence over Venezuela says about its fear of Trump

07/01/2026 06:45 The Guardian

In today’s newsletter: Leaders’ refusal to condemn the US’s intervention in Caracas shows a desperation to keep the White House on side – but a red line might not be far awayGood morning. The dramatic seizure of Nicolás Maduro from Caracas by US forces, to face trial in New York, has sent diplomatic shock waves around the world. For European leaders, it has exposed an uncomfortable dilemma: how to welcome the removal of an authoritarian ruler without endorsing an action that many legal experts say tramples over international law.Politicians in opposition, of course, are freer to speak their minds. In the UK, the Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch, said that “where the legal certainty is not yet clear, morally I do think it was the right thing to do”, while Liberal Democrat Ed Davey demanded that Keir Starmer condemn what he unequivocally described as an “illegal action in Venezuela”.Greenland | Donald Trump and his advisers are looking into “a range of options” in an effort to acquire Greenland, noting in a White House statement on Tuesday that using the US military to do so is “always an option”.UK politics | The government must find ways to reconnect emotionally with voters, Keir Starmer’s chief of staff is said to have warned cabinet ministers, in a meeting where the prime minister said they were in “the fight of our lives”.Crans-Montana fire | Authorities in Crans-Montana have said the bar that caught fire in the Swiss ski resort on New Year’s Eve, killing 40 mainly young partygoers, had not been inspected by safety officers for the past five years.Spain | A foundation representing Princess Leonor, the 20-year-old heir to the Spanish throne, has warned that scammers are using AI-generated videos of the princess posted by fake profile pages to cheat social media users out of money.US politics | The Trump administration has abandoned efforts to combat child exploitation, human trafficking and cartels as it diverts thousands of law enforcement personnel to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Democratic senators said in a letter to the White House. Continue reading...

Continua a leggere su "The Guardian"
Altre notizie da "The Guardian"
BREAKING NEWS
08/01 04:29 - Australia news live: Victoria to close public land and campgrounds as state prepares for worst fire risk in six years 08/01 04:24 - Trump backs bill to sanction China, India over Russian oil, US senator says 08/01 04:24 - Trump backs bill to sanction China, India over Russian oil, US senator says 08/01 04:12 - ‘The most dangerous day’: bushfires break out in Victoria as BoM warns of catastrophic conditions to come 08/01 02:42 - Venezuela Live Updates: U.S. Forces Seize Two Tankers; Rubio Lays Out Plan for American Control 08/01 01:48 - Storm Goretti heads to UK bringing more snow, ice and wind 08/01 01:13 - Russian attacks leave two regions with widespread blackouts, Ukraine says 08/01 00:56 - 'Splash & grab' and 'UK ready to seize more of Putin's ships' 08/01 00:52 - Trump speaks with Petro amid nationwide Colombia protests against US after Venezuela intervention – live 08/01 00:29 - Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,414 08/01 00:29 - Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,414 08/01 00:00 - US suspends assistance to Somali government for alleged seizure of aid 08/01 00:00 - US suspends assistance to Somali government for alleged seizure of aid 07/01 23:34 - Texas A&M Warns Professor Not to Teach Plato Because of Gender Rules 07/01 22:31 - US says it will control Venezuela’s oil sales ‘indefinitely’ 07/01 22:31 - US says it will control Venezuela’s oil sales ‘indefinitely’ 07/01 22:31 - 30 Pieces From Amazon's "Most Wished For" Section If You're Looking For A Wardrobe Refresh 07/01 22:29 - Will Russia accept Western troops in Ukraine? 07/01 22:29 - Will Russia accept Western troops in Ukraine? 07/01 22:08 - Lawmakers Split After Classified Briefings on Venezuela 07/01 21:24 - MPs would vote on using troops in Ukraine, Starmer says 07/01 20:46 - Marinera oil tanker changed flags ‘five times in five years’, says defence secretary – as it happened 07/01 20:38 - Trump Greenland threats: 'ego politics rather than geopolitics', expert says 07/01 20:11 - U.S. seizes two tankers as Venezuelan oil blockade intensifies 07/01 20:09 - Incoherence: America First creates mixed policy signals in Russia, China, Latin America, Greenland 07/01 19:42 - UK says it provided ‘support’ to US seizure of Russian tanker 07/01 19:39 - Lib Dem council to ask for election delay weeks after Davey's warning 07/01 19:34 - Gaza babies ‘suffering from severe cold’ as Israel keeps blocking aid 07/01 19:34 - Gaza babies ‘suffering from severe cold’ as Israel keeps blocking aid 07/01 19:28 - Marco Rubio says he will meet Danish officials to discuss Greenland next week 07/01 19:25 - New Dietary Guidelines Abandon Longstanding Advice on Alcohol 07/01 19:18 - US seizes Russian-flagged oil tanker in Atlantic after two-week pursuit 07/01 19:15 - US seeks to assert its control over Venezuelan oil with tanker seizures and sales worldwide 07/01 18:55 - U.S. reduces number of warships near Venezuela after Maduro raid 07/01 18:53 - US purchase of Greenland being ‘actively discussed’ by Trump and team, White House says – live 07/01 18:47 - White House: Seized tankers violated sanctions, crews can be prosecuted 07/01 18:47 - White House: Seized tankers violated sanctions, crews can be prosecuted 07/01 18:02 - Trump administration releases updated dietary guidelines: ‘Eat real food’ 07/01 17:54 - US reportedly warns Maduro ally Diosdado Cabello he could be next 07/01 17:33 - US military says it has seized two sanctioned oil tankers 07/01 17:17 - News24 | Ukraine reports ‘concrete results’ from talks with Western allies 07/01 17:10 - Iran protests continue as top judge warns ‘rioters’ working with US, Israel 07/01 17:10 - Iran protests continue as top judge warns ‘rioters’ working with US, Israel 07/01 16:59 - UK LGBTQ+ charities are in ‘hostile environment’ amid falling donations, experts warn 07/01 16:56 - Reflagged by Russia, spied on by UK, seized by US: why so much interest in a rusty tanker in the Atlantic? 07/01 16:50 - In 2025, Russia emerged as more than just an ‘alternative for the West’ 07/01 16:49 - Police arrest two men accused of absconding from HMP Leyhill 07/01 16:30 - Buy Greenland? Take It? Why? An Old Pact Already Gives Trump a Free Hand. 07/01 16:29 - Warner Bros rejects Paramount takeover again and tells shareholders to stick with Netflix bid 07/01 16:24 - Reform London mayor candidate accused of talking down capital with ‘pity’ remark 07/01 16:23 - UK helped US seize Russian-flagged tanker, defence ministry says 07/01 16:20 - ‘How is it possible?’: Berliners demand answers after sabotage causes blackout 07/01 15:54 - Shadow attorney general will not advise Kemi Badenoch on Ukraine over Roman Abramovich link 07/01 15:41 - UK viewers warm up for steamy ice hockey hit Heated Rivalry 07/01 15:27 - US seizes two sanctioned Venezuela-linked oil tankers as blockade 'in full effect' 07/01 15:20 - 'Donroe Doctrine': 'Kidnapping of Maduro had nothing to do with democracy, human rights' 07/01 15:20 - Venezuela to continue supplying oil to US ‘indefinitely’, White House says 07/01 15:14 - Do Russia and China pose a national security threat to the US in Greenland? 07/01 15:14 - Do Russia and China pose a national security threat to the US in Greenland? 07/01 15:10 - US consortium moves on Russian oil giant’s overseas assets – FT 07/01 15:10 - More snow and ice across UK as cold snap continues 07/01 14:55 - New video said to show US forces shadowing Russian oil tanker 07/01 14:55 - New video said to show US forces shadowing Russian oil tanker 07/01 14:46 - Why Trump wants Greenland and what’s standing in his way 07/01 14:16 - US seizes Russian oil tanker 07/01 14:09 - 'Breaking point'? Iranian protests reflect 'a multi-layered convergence of dissatisfaction' 07/01 13:56 - New Nonfiction Books to Read This Year 07/01 13:53 - US military seizes Russian-flagged oil tanker in North Atlantic 07/01 13:53 - US seizes Russia-flagged oil tanker chased to North Atlantic 07/01 13:40 - US takeover of Greenland would 'simply mean the end of NATO', says Denmark 07/01 13:39 - US seizes Venezuela-linked Russian oil tanker 07/01 13:39 - US seizes Venezuela-linked Russian oil tanker 07/01 13:35 - US attempting to seize Russian oil tanker in north Atlantic, US media report 07/01 13:30 - Ukraine reports ‘concrete results’ from talks with Western allies 07/01 13:30 - Ukraine reports ‘concrete results’ from talks with Western allies 07/01 13:20 - Warner Bros urges shareholders to reject 'inferior' Paramount offer 07/01 13:19 - MPs would get vote on troop deployment to Ukraine, says Keir Starmer 07/01 13:18 - What we know about tankers seized by US - as Russia responds 07/01 13:17 - US forces attempt to board Russian oil tanker (EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS) 07/01 12:48 - Reshuffle at Ukraine’s Intelligence Agencies Draws Criticism 07/01 12:37 - Russia sends navy to guard oil tanker being pursued by US forces 07/01 12:00 - Kherson lives under anti-drone nets and in fear of Russian attacks 07/01 11:57 - US, Ukraine teams tackle 'most difficult issues' in Russia war talks: Zelensky 07/01 11:57 - US, Ukraine teams meet in Paris to tackle 'most difficult issues' in Russia war talks 07/01 11:56 - Europe Tries to Come to Terms With Trump’s Intervention in Venezuela 07/01 11:46 - Ukraine allies agree on security guarantees in case of a ceasefire 07/01 11:44 - Yemeni separatist leader charged with 'high treason' by Yemen's anti-Houthi council 07/01 11:13 - In Maduro’s capture, Russia sees a great-power rival act with impunity 07/01 11:00 - ‘Astounding’ vaccine change puts US behind peer countries, experts warn 07/01 10:26 - Fyodor Lukyanov: Trump’s Venezuela move may have just earned him a Nobel Peace Prize 07/01 10:22 - UK and France unveil troop commitments for Ukraine 07/01 10:00 - Maga media stars back Trump on Venezuela … mostly: ‘It doesn’t make any sense’ 07/01 09:26 - Photos: Orthodox Christmas celebrations around the world 07/01 09:26 - Photos: Orthodox Christmas celebrations around the world 07/01 08:40 - Merz tells Zelensky to stop young men from leaving Ukraine 07/01 08:39 - Melbourne swelters through hottest day in six years as severe heatwave descends on Australia’s south-eastern states 07/01 08:05 - UK weather: ice warnings in place across country as heavy snow expected 07/01 07:56 - News24 | Trump weighs military option to acquire Greenland 07/01 07:50 - Labor group urges Albanese to rescind invitation to Israeli president Isaac Herzog 07/01 07:14 - Australia news live: all of Victoria warned to expect ‘upper end of extreme’ fire danger on Friday; PM attends funeral of Bondi victim Peter Meagher