Senior Labour figure refuses to recognise Venezuelan ‘president’
SHADOW FOREIGN Secretary Emily Thornberry has refused to recognise Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido as the country’s interim president despite the “desperate” situation in the country.
But in a break with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, Ms Thornberry backed the use of targeted sanctions and “whatever means necessary” short of a military invasion to bring about change.
Her comments came after Mr Corbyn hit out at interference in the country’s politics following Western pressure on president Nicolas Maduro to quit.
Setting out her approach to foreign policy, Ms Thornberry said a Labour government’s foreign policy would put respect for human rights and international law above other considerations.
She said: “Under a Labour Foreign Office, I can also guarantee there will be no indulgence of human rights abuses because they are committed by less powerful countries, or by governments who call themselves ‘socialist’ but who, by their actions, betray every socialist ideal.”
The UK, US and European powers including France and Germany have recognised Mr Guaido as the interim president.
But Ms Thornberry told an event at the Institute for Government in London yesterday: “What I am saying is that we begin with dialogue.
“That offer has been made, internally and externally we need to ensure that happens.”
She added: “That’s the best way to proceed rather than somebody saying ‘that’s it, we’ve had enough, we recognise X, we don’t recognise Y any more’.”