UK Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has publicly defended the United States’ operation that led to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, linking her stance to her childhood experiences under military rule in Nigeria.
Speaking during a BBC Radio interview on Tuesday, Badenoch described the US intervention as morally justified, stressing that it was motivated by responsibility rather than political ambition.
“Venezuela was a brutal regime. We didn’t even recognise it as a legitimate government,” she said. “I understand why America acted, and morally, I think it was the right thing to do.”
Born in England in 1980 but raised in Lagos, Badenoch recalled growing up during a period of unstable governance in Nigeria. She lived through three military regimes, led by Muhammadu Buhari, Ibrahim Babangida, and Sani Abacha, as well as the brief interim civilian administration of Ernest Shonekan.
She explained that those years exposed her to repression, fear, and silence enforced by authoritarian rule, experiences that shaped her political instincts and moral outlook.
“I grew up under military dictatorships, so I know what it’s like to have a ruler like Maduro in charge,” she said. “I know what it’s like to see people celebrating while living under fear. I’m not condemning the US.”
The US operation involved special forces entering Caracas to remove Maduro, who was subsequently flown to New York to face drug-related charges. The move has sparked global debate, with critics warning it undermines international law and could set a dangerous precedent. Supporters, however, argue it was necessary to end years of alleged repression and criminal activity under Maduro’s government.
Badenoch dismissed claims that the intervention was reckless, insisting that decisive measures are sometimes required when diplomacy fails. She added that authoritarian regimes often leave citizens with little hope of change, making strong action unavoidable.
