The Guardian view on Europe’s response to ‘America first’ imperialism: too weak, too timid | Editorial

Sir Keir Starmer and European leaders must defend the rule of international law, as a dangerous new world order emerges

The initial reaction of European leaders to Donald Trump's illegal military intervention in Venezuela wasnot only weak, it also had the briefest of shelf lives. Refusing on Sunday to condemn the attack as abreach of international law, European Union memberstates called hopefully for a negotiated, democratic, inclusive and peaceful solution to the crisis, led by Venezuelans". The delusional nature of that responsewas laid bare as Mr Trump told reportersthesame day: We're in charge."

So much for the restoration of democracy. The USpresident also repeated threats of further military action, should the repressive regime left behind when Nicolas Maduro was seized fail to do Washington's bidding. As Mr Trump's marginalising of the Nobel prize-winning opposition figurehead Maria Corina Machado illustrated early on, the will of Venezuelans is not on his list of priorities. Operation Absolute Resolve was about exercising raw power to dominateasovereign nation, and controlling Venezuela's future oil production.