By Iain Dale

For those of us on the centre-right, who have always regarded our alliance with the United States as central to our defence and security policy, today is a difficult day.

While no one would bemoan the departure of the brutal and illegitimate Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro, the manner of his departure is unprecedented. His fall has not been down to a popular uprising within the borders of his own country, it is down to one person. President Donald J Trump. He ordered US forces to seize Maduro and his wife and transport them to the United States, where they will a series of charges in US courts.

There are a number of consequences to this, many of them very worrying for those of us who believe in a world order of international norms.

It is important to be clear that this is not a war between the US and Venezuela, but many will interpret it as an “act” of war. And the consequences could be dire. As FT commentator Gideon Rachman said this morning: “So when China launches a special op to seize the president of Taiwan: or Russia tries to do the same for Zelensky - what exactly do we say? You can’t do that, it’s illegal?” It’s difficult to argue with that.

Nigel Farage has taken a different view, saying: “The American actions in Venezuela overnight are unorthodox and contrary to international law — but if they make China and Russia think twice, it may be a good thing. I hope the Venezuelan people can now turn a new leaf without Maduro.” But isn’t there a danger of it emboldening both China and Russia? However, it’s interesting that Farage admits it is against international law.

On Monday, no doubt the weekend’s events will feature in discussions between me and Tessa Dunlop on the Where Politics Meets History podcast. The point of the podcast is to look at current news events and try to relate them to similar events on history.

While there are clear differences, I do think there are parallels to be drawn between the seizing of Maduro and the US invasion of Grenada in October 1983. It was........

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