US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the Trump administration is using economic and maritime measures to influence Venezuela, focusing on its oil sector rather than planning a military intervention. Rubio emphasized that Venezuela’s oil industry is central to the nation’s crisis and serves as a crucial leverage point for the US. He criticized the industry as mismanaged, with its benefits not reaching the Venezuelan people directly.
Rubio highlighted the US strategy of imposing an oil “quarantine” on Venezuela through sanctions and naval actions, aiming to prompt significant changes in the country. He outlined US demands, including combating drug trafficking, dismantling criminal groups, and expelling armed factions operating within Venezuela. Rubio also cautioned against foreign influences in the region, urging Venezuela to distance itself from associations with Hezbollah and Iran.
Regarding President Trump’s military remarks, Rubio clarified that while all options are considered, the current approach prioritizes pressure tactics over military occupation. He mentioned the substantial US naval presence deployed to address drug trafficking and enforce oil sanctions in the region. Rubio underscored the impact of Venezuela’s instability on the US, citing a significant exodus of millions of people from Venezuela since 2014.
Rubio emphasized that the US is focused on addressing national security threats posed by Venezuela rather than engaging in symbolic political gestures. He refrained from disclosing details of private discussions with Venezuela’s new leadership, emphasizing that US actions will be based on the actions taken by the Venezuelan authorities.
