Rubio Signals Readiness for Force During Senate Defense of Venezuela Strategy

Rubio Signals Readiness for Force During Senate Defense of Venezuela Strategy

2026-01-29 politics

Washington D.C., Wednesday, 28 January 2026.
Secretary Rubio characterized the ousting of Maduro as a precise law enforcement operation rather than war, yet starkly warned the Senate that the U.S. reserves the right to employ force if the new interim leadership deviates from American interests.

Defining the Engagement Rules

This testimony follows a pivotal moment on January 22, when the House of Representatives narrowly blocked a measure to restrict President Trump’s military authority in Venezuela [9]. With that legislative hurdle cleared, Secretary Rubio used today’s hearing to articulate a strategy that blends diplomatic pragmatism with the threat of coercion. While emphasizing that the United States does not intend to deploy ground troops, Rubio explicitly warned that the administration is “prepared to use force to ensure maximum cooperation if other methods fail” [3][4]. This ultimatum is directed at the new interim government led by Delcy Rodríguez, a former Maduro loyalist whom the U.S. is now backing to stabilize the energy sector [4][8]. Rubio framed the January 3 removal of Nicolás Maduro not as an act of war, but as a “targeted law enforcement action” against a “criminal state,” noting the operation involved approximately 200 troops and concluded in less than 27 minutes [4][7].

The Economics of Intervention

The economic underpinnings of the operation drew sharp scrutiny from Democrats, highlighting a tension between democratic ideals and energy interests. Senator Chris Van Hollen noted that President Trump mentioned “oil” 19 times in a recent press conference regarding the operation, without once referencing democracy or human rights [1]. In defense, Rubio argued that the administration’s priority is to transform Venezuela from a hub of “corruption and graft” into a responsible partner [1]. To this end, the U.S. Treasury will exercise oversight on Venezuelan oil revenue to ensure funds are directed toward basic government services rather than illicit activities [7]. This approach aims to secure the country’s vast oil infrastructure, which Rodríguez has pledged to open to American companies [4], while ostensibly managing the transition through financial controls rather than direct occupation.

While the administration denies a state of war exists, the U.S. military footprint remains active and lethal in the surrounding waters. Rubio defended a series of interdiction operations in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, where over three dozen strikes on suspected drug-trafficking vessels have resulted in at least 126 fatalities since September [7][8]. These ongoing kinetic actions have fueled criticism that the executive branch is overstepping its authority. Senator Jeanne Shaheen questioned the strategic value of the entire enterprise, suggesting the U.S. has merely “traded one dictator for another” by partnering with Rodríguez, who remains under DEA scrutiny [1][7]. Conversely, Senator Chris Murphy characterized the resource-focused strategy as taking oil “at gunpoint,” predicting the effort is “destined for failure” [6].

Diplomatic Balancing Act

Looking ahead, the administration is attempting to navigate a complex path between utilizing the current regime structure and supporting the democratic opposition. Rubio projected that the situation on the ground could improve significantly, stating that the country’s condition “three or four or five months from now cannot look like what today looks like” [5][8]. To bridge the legitimacy gap, Secretary Rubio is scheduled to meet with opposition leader María Corina Machado at the State Department later today [3][6]. This meeting signals an attempt to maintain credibility with democratic forces while simultaneously relying on the remnants of the former regime to maintain order and oil production.

Sources


Foreign Policy Venezuela