Rubio Says U.S. Will Not Govern Venezuela Day To Day
3 weeks ago
Secretary of State Marco Rubio sought to clarify the U.S. role in Venezuela following the ouster of President Nicolás Maduro, saying the United States does not plan to govern the country day to day, beyond enforcing an existing oil quarantine.
Rubio said the quarantine, which targets sanctioned oil tankers, is intended to press for policy changes, including reforms in Venezuela’s oil industry and efforts to curb drug trafficking. His comments appeared aimed at easing concerns that U.S. actions could lead to a prolonged foreign intervention.
Those remarks contrast with statements from President Donald Trump, who on Sunday repeated that the United States would be, quote, “running” Venezuela and said America would help fix the country following Maduro’s removal.
Meanwhile, Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, struck a more conciliatory tone, inviting the United States to collaborate and calling for respectful relations. The developments come as Maduro is expected to make his first court appearance in New York on drug trafficking charges, drawing international attention.
Rubio said the quarantine, which targets sanctioned oil tankers, is intended to press for policy changes, including reforms in Venezuela’s oil industry and efforts to curb drug trafficking. His comments appeared aimed at easing concerns that U.S. actions could lead to a prolonged foreign intervention.
Those remarks contrast with statements from President Donald Trump, who on Sunday repeated that the United States would be, quote, “running” Venezuela and said America would help fix the country following Maduro’s removal.
Meanwhile, Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, struck a more conciliatory tone, inviting the United States to collaborate and calling for respectful relations. The developments come as Maduro is expected to make his first court appearance in New York on drug trafficking charges, drawing international attention.
