Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed a U.S. Senate committee on Wednesday, highlighting the evolving relationship between Venezuela’s new leadership and Washington. Rubio emphasized that the current situation did not call for immediate U.S. military intervention. Following the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro on Jan. 3, President Donald Trump instructed his administration to engage with Delcy Rodriguez, who assumed the role of interim president. Rubio, a former senator from Florida and member of the Senate’s foreign relations committee, reiterated Trump’s stance on not ruling out any options but expressed contentment with the current dialogue with Rodriguez.
Rubio commended opposition leader Maria Corina Machado but avoided addressing Trump’s dismissal of her lack of popular support in Venezuela, focusing instead on the prospect of future elections. He stressed the necessity of Maduro’s removal, citing Venezuela’s association with U.S. adversaries like China, Russia, and Iran, as well as alleged ties to drug traffickers that posed threats to the region and the U.S.
Regarding Venezuela’s oil exports, Rubio mentioned temporary measures in place while emphasizing the goal of transitioning to a democratic Venezuela that elects leaders through fair processes, albeit without specifying a timeline. Congressional members on both sides expressed concerns over the lack of communication from the Trump administration regarding significant operations in Venezuela, such as the capture of Maduro and changes to foreign aid programs.
Democratic Senator Chris Murphy criticized the U.S.’s approach in Venezuela, likening it to seizing oil by force and expressing skepticism about the strategy’s effectiveness. The Trump administration’s actions in Venezuela, including increased rewards for Maduro’s capture and military strikes on alleged drug-carrying vessels, have raised questions about congressional authorization and compliance with international laws.
The administration’s narrative of combating drug cartels has faced scrutiny, with concerns raised about the legality and targets of the military actions. Legal experts and drug trade analysts have highlighted discrepancies in the administration’s justifications for its operations in Venezuela. The U.S. faces legal challenges, including a wrongful death lawsuit filed by family members of individuals killed in a missile strike off Venezuela’s coast.
In a separate discussion, Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen raised doubts about the administration’s anti-drug trafficking efforts, citing Trump’s pardon of a former Honduran president convicted of drug offenses. Rubio and some Republicans highlighted the successful capture of Maduro as a deterrent to authoritarian regimes in the region, clarifying the U.S.’s position on regime change.
While the Senate session provided a platform for questioning Rubio on Venezuela-related matters, it also touched on other contentious issues, including allegations of corruption within the current administration. Democrats criticized Trump’s financial dealings and foreign relations, while also expressing concerns about his foreign policy decisions and interactions with NATO allies.
Rubio assured the committee of ongoing discussions with Greenland and Denmark officials, suggesting a positive outcome from the technical-level meetings. The session featured diverse viewpoints on U.S. national security strategies, emphasizing the complexities of foreign relations and domestic policy challenges.