Johnson’s secret flight to meet autocrat Maduro in Venezuela
The former PM discussed Russia and Ukraine with a president whose legitimacy is not recognised by Britain — and he says David Cameron knew
Gabriel Pogrund and Matthew Campbell
Boris Johnson secretly flew to Venezuela last month for unofficial talks with its autocratic leader, Nicolás Maduro, it can be revealed.
The former prime minister took a private jet from a family holiday in the Dominican Republic, the Caribbean country, to a location outside of Caracas, where he spent less than 24 hours.
Johnson spoke to Maduro about the war in Ukraine amid concern in western diplomatic and intelligence circles that the oil-rich socialist republic could supply weapons or other military support to Russia, a close ally. Since leaving Downing Street he has championed President Zelensky on the world stage.
Boris Johnson and Nicolás Maduro are said to have talked about Ukraine and Venezuela’s fragile relations with Britain
ILLUSTRATION BY RUSSEL HERNEMAN
He also discussed the conditions for normalising relations with the UK, which does not accept the legitimacy of Maduro’s administration.
Sources say these included the holding of free and fair presidential elections this year and the de-escalation of tensions with Guyana, a
former British colony whose oil and mineral-rich Essequibo region, covering two thirds of its territory, is claimed by Venezuela. Last month the Royal Navy dispatched a patrol ship to the region, prompting Maduro to lash out at the “act of hostile provocation”.
The talks are highly unusual given the state of bilateral relations and wider uncertainty about western relations with Venezuela, which has the world’s largest oil reserves and has been a steadfast supporter of President Putin.
As recently as October, the Biden administration agreed to ease crippling Trump-era oil and gas sanctions in return for democratic reform and the release of political prisoners. The deal has since unravelled, with Maduro banning an opposition leader and arresting several dozen democratic activists.
Johnson’s office said Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton, the foreign secretary, was aware of the visit. His spokesman added that Johnson spoke to Colin Dick, who is the chargé d’affaires in Caracas — the most senior British diplomat in the country — seeking his reflections on what would be useful to say.
A Foreign Office source said Johnson notified Cameron of the summit en route, saying: “It was a private visit but Boris texted the foreign secretary on the way.” As it was not an official discussion, permission was neither required nor sought.
President Maduro in 2019 with his wife, Cilia Flores
ARIANA CUBILLOS/AP
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