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Washington Questions Interim Venezuelan President’s Cooperation as Rubio Hints at Use of Force
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed doubts about the level of cooperation from interim Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez with Washington, suggesting the potential use of force if diplomatic efforts do not result in her support for American objectives in the country. During a congressional hearing, Rubio explained that the U.S. administration hopes that Rodríguez’s self-interest will lead her to commit to opening the Venezuelan energy sector to American companies and provide preferential access to oil, in addition to using its revenues to purchase American goods.
This warning follows intelligence reports that raised concerns about Rodríguez’s willingness to sever ties with U.S. allies, including Iran, China, and Russia, as part of Washington’s strategy to limit the influence of these countries in the Western Hemisphere.
The hearing marked Rubio’s first public appearance before Congress since the U.S. raid in Caracas and the arrest of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on January 3, an event that sparked considerable controversy among Democrats, who viewed it as an illegal act of war.
Despite Rodríguez taking initial steps to appease Washington, such as releasing political prisoners and selling oil to the U.S., doubts within the American administration about her loyalty and full willingness to cooperate remain. This has led to an increase in the presence of the Central Intelligence Agency in Venezuela to safeguard its strategic interests in the short and long term.
U.S. officials affirmed that cooperation with Rodríguez remains the most realistic option at present, while senior military and security officials continue to monitor any changes in their positions amid the ongoing political transition and security instability following Maduro’s ousting.
