Rubio warns U.S. may use force if Venezuela fails to cooperate
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has indicated that the United States could consider using military force against Venezuela again if the country’s interim government does not meet Washington’s expectations, officials said Wednesday. The warning comes amid heightened tensions following a dramatic U.S. military operation that captured former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in early January and ongoing efforts to secure political cooperation from Venezuela’s leadership.
Speaking before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Rubio stressed that the administration hopes additional force will not be necessary but emphasized that Washington remains prepared to act if diplomatic and other measures fail. He highlighted that U.S. objectives include cooperation on stabilizing the country and implementing reforms supported by the United States.
Rubio’s remarks referenced the role of Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, warning that she is aware of the consequences faced by Maduro after his capture and suggesting that failure to comply fully with U.S. demands—such as opening Venezuela’s energy sector to U.S. firms and moving toward national reconciliation—could lead to further pressure.
The U.S. government has framed its January operation as a judicial mission targeting alleged narcotics trafficking, not a formal war, and notes that Rubio’s testimony was delivered in that context. Relations between the United States and Venezuela remain complex, with some Venezuelan officials publicly rejecting external influence.
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