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3 February 2026 - What can we learn from Venezuela? - Oral evidence

Committee Foreign Affairs Committee
Inquiry What can we learn from Venezuela?

Tuesday 3 February 2026

Start times: 10:00am (private) 10:30am (public)


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Evidence session: What can we learn from Venezuela?

In January, US President Trump announced that US armed forces had conducted a “military operation” in the capital of Venezuela to “capture” the Venezuelan President Maduro. President Trump also announced that the US would “run” Venezuela and control its oil supplies.  

At 10.30am on 3 February, the Foreign Affairs Committee will hold an evidence session examining the US’ actions in Venezuela in the context of international law and the rules-based international order. Members will speak to expert witnesses from RUSI, Chatham House and Oxford University.

Meeting details

At 10:30am: Oral evidence
Work What can we learn from Venezuela? (Non-inquiry session)
Senior Research Fellow, Latin American Security at Royal United Services Institute (RUSI)
Senior Research Fellow for Latin America, US and North America Programme at Chatham House
At 11:15am: Oral evidence
Work What can we learn from Venezuela? (Non-inquiry session)
Professor of Public International Law at The University of Oxford
Fellow at Trinity College at The University of Oxford, and Co-Director of the Oxford Institute for Ethics, Law and Armed Conflict at The University of Oxford

Members are likely to discuss the US’s objectives in Venezuela, examining the impact of the US’s actions, including the response of the Venezuelan people and the wider region. Questions may cover whether the US’s actions are justified in international law.  

The session is likely to also cover whether the US’s actions in Venezuela set a precedent, and what they may mean for the rules-based international order.  

Members may also discuss President Trump’s stated intention to acquire Greenland and his threats against Iran.

Location

Room 6, Palace of Westminster

How to attend