The United States has indicated a willingness to use force against Venezuela should the interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, fail to fully cooperate with the expectations of the Donald Trump Administration. This stance was outlined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio in prepared remarks for a Wednesday appearance before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to discuss U.S. plans for the South American nation.
U.S. Stance on Venezuela
According to a draft of Rubio’s speech, “We will closely monitor the performance of the interim authorities in their cooperation with our phased plan to restore stability to Venezuela. Let there be no doubt: as the president (Donald Trump) has said, we are prepared to use force to ensure maximum cooperation if other methods do not succeed.” Rubio expressed hope that force would not be necessary, suggesting that Rodríguez’s self-interest would lead to full collaboration with the U.S., which conducted an operation on January 3rd to apprehend President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
Rubio emphasized that the U.S. government “will never shy away” from its duty to the American people and its self-defined role in leading the American continent. Rodríguez has reportedly committed to opening Venezuela’s oil sector to U.S. companies, granting them preferential access to production, and using the resulting revenue to purchase U.S. goods. She has also allegedly pledged to end Venezuela’s support for the Cuban regime and to “promote national reconciliation” with both the opposition and Venezuelan exiles.
The Secretary of State believes Rodríguez “is fully aware of Maduro’s fate” and that her own interests align with the advancement of U.S. objectives. Rubio’s appearance before Congress marks his first public discussion of Venezuela plans since the military operation on January 3rd, following a closed-door briefing immediately after the event.
During that earlier briefing, Rubio revealed the U.S. plan for Venezuela involves three phases. The first phase focuses on stabilizing infrastructure to restore functionality to the country and its oil sector. This will be followed by an economic recovery phase, culminating in a transition to democratic elections – a process the Trump Administration acknowledges could take years.
This Senate appearance follows recent statements from Rodríguez, who declared her government would not accept “external orders” and that Venezuela has “had enough” of U.S. interference. President Trump, when asked about these statements, stated he had not heard them but affirmed his “very good relationship” with the provisional authorities.
The recent intervention on January 3rd is expected to be characterized as a “judicial operation” to capture “two drug traffickers” – Maduro and Flores – who will be prosecuted in the United States. The administration does not consider this an occupation of foreign territory or an act of war, and therefore believes Congressional authorization was not required before the helicopters entered Venezuelan airspace. The administration continues to maintain that Maduro “was not a legitimate head of state,” having lost the June 2024 elections but refusing to relinquish power.
Rubio is also scheduled to meet with Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado at the State Department following his Senate testimony, two weeks after Machado gifted her Nobel Prize to Trump during a private meeting at the White House, attended by a former Senator whose parents were Cuban exiles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the U.S. plan for Venezuela?
The U.S. plan, as described by Secretary of State Rubio, is divided into three phases: stabilization, economic recovery, and a transition to democratic elections. The initial phase focuses on restoring infrastructure, particularly within the oil sector.
What has Delcy Rodríguez reportedly agreed to do?
Delcy Rodríguez has reportedly committed to opening Venezuela’s oil sector to U.S. companies, using the revenue from oil sales to purchase U.S. goods, ending support for the Cuban regime, and promoting national reconciliation.
How does the U.S. justify its actions in Venezuela?
The U.S. administration describes the January 3rd intervention as a “judicial operation” to capture individuals accused of drug trafficking and maintains that Maduro was not a legitimate head of state after losing the June 2024 elections.
What are the potential consequences of continued U.S. intervention in Venezuela, and how might regional dynamics shift as a result?
