US Threatens Force as Venezuela Crisis Escalates, Rubio to Testify Before Senate
The United States is prepared to utilize military force against Venezuela should acting president Delcy Rodríguez fail to meet Washington’s expectations for cooperation, according to statements made by Secretary of State Marco Rubio ahead of a scheduled appearance before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
The escalating tensions between Washington and Caracas reached a new pitch this week as a senior official revealed the potential for renewed intervention, contingent on the level of collaboration from Rodríguez’s interim government. The official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, emphasized that while the administration hopes to avoid military action, “we are willing to use force to guarantee maximum cooperation if other methods do not achieve it,” echoing previous statements from President Donald Trump.
A Phased Approach to “Restoring Stability”
Rubio is expected to outline a three-phase plan for Venezuela during Wednesday’s testimony. The initial phase focuses on stabilization, prioritizing the restoration of critical infrastructure, particularly within the nation’s vital oil sector. This will be followed by a period of economic recovery, and ultimately, a transition towards democratic elections. The Trump Administration acknowledges this process could span several years.
According to the senior official, Rodríguez has already committed to opening Venezuela’s oil sector to American companies, granting them preferential access to production and utilizing the resulting revenue to purchase American goods. Furthermore, she has reportedly pledged to end Venezuela’s financial support for the Cuban regime and foster “national reconciliation” with both the opposition and exiled Venezuelans.
“The former vice president is fully aware of Maduro’s fate,” the official stated, suggesting a belief that Rodríguez’s self-preservation will align with the advancement of US objectives.
Intervention Justified as a “Judicial Operation”
The upcoming Senate testimony marks Rubio’s first public discussion of Venezuela plans since a controversial military operation conducted on the 3rd of the month. While details remain limited, the administration intends to characterize the operation as a “judicial operation” aimed at apprehending President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, whom they accuse of being “drug traffickers” subject to prosecution in the United States.
The administration maintains that this intervention did not constitute an occupation of foreign territory or an act of war, and therefore, did not require prior Congressional authorization. This stance is based on the administration’s continued assertion that Maduro is not a legitimate head of state, having lost the June 2024 elections but refusing to relinquish power. The results of those elections were widely disputed, with neither the US nor many European and Latin American nations recognizing the official outcome due to a lack of transparency in the vote counting process. The opposition claims to have won by a two-thirds majority.
Venezuela Rejects “External Orders”
The prospect of further US intervention comes as Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, publicly declared her government’s refusal to accept “external orders,” stating that Venezuela “has had enough” of US interference. President Trump, when questioned about these statements, claimed he had not heard them, instead emphasizing his “very good relationship” with the provisional authorities.
Rubio is also scheduled to meet with Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado following his Senate testimony, just two weeks after Machado presented a Nobel Prize to Trump during a private meeting at the White House, attended by a former senator with Cuban roots.
The situation remains fluid and highly sensitive, with the potential for significant escalation if negotiations fail to yield satisfactory results. The coming days will be critical in determining the future of Venezuela and the extent of US involvement in the region.
