{"id":33838,"date":"2026-01-29T00:28:23","date_gmt":"2026-01-28T22:28:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/?p=33838"},"modified":"2026-01-29T00:28:24","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T22:28:24","slug":"us-secretary-of-state-rubio-faces-senate-scrutiny-on-venezuela-policy-declines-to-rule-out-future-military-action","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/us-secretary-of-state-rubio-faces-senate-scrutiny-on-venezuela-policy-declines-to-rule-out-future-military-action\/","title":{"rendered":"US Secretary of State Rubio faces Senate scrutiny on Venezuela policy, declines to rule out future military action"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>7 minute read<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers that the Trump administration is prepared to use additional military force against Venezuela if its interim leadership fails to meet U.S. expectations, as he testified for the first time before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee since the removal of former President Nicolas Maduro.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Appearing before the committee less than a month after U.S. forces captured Maduro in a high-risk operation, Rubio defended the administration\u2019s actions and rejected claims that Washington is at war with Venezuela or occupying the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He described the previous government as an \u201cuntenable situation\u201d that had to be addressed, while emphasizing that the administration\u2019s stated goal is a transition toward a democratic and stable Venezuela.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In prepared remarks submitted to the committee, Rubio said the administration would not hesitate to escalate if cooperation from Venezuela\u2019s interim leadership falters. \u201cWe are prepared to use force to ensure maximum cooperation if other methods fail,\u201d Rubio wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe hope that this will not prove necessary, but we will never shy away from our duty to the American people and our mission in this hemisphere.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rubio said the United States is not at war with Venezuela and insisted the recent operation was limited in scope and intent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThere is no war against Venezuela, and we did not occupy a country,\u201d he said, adding that \u201cThere are no U.S. troops on the ground. This was an operation to aid law enforcement.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-media-max-width=\"800\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">&quot;But I will tell you this, since the time Maduro was removed, not a single illegal ship has headed towards Venezuela &#8230; What&#39;s really changed is the dynamic that the Venezuelan interim authorities are now actually helping us identify shadow fleet ships that they want us to seize\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/XipnRMeZCv\">pic.twitter.com\/XipnRMeZCv<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Department of State (@StateDept) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/StateDept\/status\/2016563728049684487?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 28, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p><br>The secretary of state, who also serves as President Donald Trump\u2019s national security adviser, argued that Maduro\u2019s removal was justified on drug trafficking charges and said continued military strikes against suspected drug-smuggling vessels remain necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong>Defense of Trump\u2019s Venezuela Policy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rubio\u2019s testimony marked the first public appearance by a senior administration official explaining the president\u2019s controversial Latin America policy, which included months of maritime operations targeting suspected drug trafficking boats and the seizure of sanctioned tankers carrying Venezuelan oil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to Rubio, the Maduro government had turned Venezuela into a hub for U.S. adversaries. \u201cThe Maduro regime represented an untenable situation,\u201d he told senators, saying it provided \u201ca base of operation for virtually every competitor, adversary and enemy in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He acknowledged that rebuilding Venezuela would take time. \u201cWe\u2019re not going to get there in three weeks,\u201d Rubio said, referring to the administration\u2019s stated objective of restoring democratic governance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During unscripted opening remarks, Rubio described elections as the \u201cendgame\u201d of U.S. policy, while warning that the transition would be difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe end state here is we want to reach a phase of transition where we are left with a friendly, stable, prosperous Venezuela, and democratic, in which all elements of society are represented in free and fair elections,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/US-Trump-Administration-press-conference.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"690\" height=\"370\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/US-Trump-Administration-press-conference.jpg?resize=690%2C370&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"U.S. President Donald Trump holds a press conference as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, look on following a U.S. strike on Venezuela where President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured, from Trump's Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S.\" class=\"wp-image-33469\" style=\"width:840px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/US-Trump-Administration-press-conference.jpg?w=690&amp;ssl=1 690w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/US-Trump-Administration-press-conference.jpg?resize=300%2C161&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 690px) 100vw, 690px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><sup>U.S. President Donald Trump holds a press conference as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, look on following a U.S. strike on Venezuela, from Trump&#8217;s Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., on January 3, 2026. (Image Credit: Reuters\/Jonathan Ernst)<\/sup><\/em><br><br><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>No US Ground Troops in Venezuela<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rubio repeatedly assured lawmakers that the United States does not plan to deploy ground forces in Venezuela. He said the only potential U.S. military presence would be Marine guards assigned to protect an embassy if diplomatic operations resume.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe only military presence you will see in Venezuela is our Marine guards at an embassy,\u201d Rubio said. \u201cThat is our goal. That is our expectation.\u201d He later added that the administration does not intend to conduct further military action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWith full certainty,\u201d Rubio told senators, the U.S. is \u201cnot postured to, nor do we intend or expect to have to take any military action in Venezuela at any time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Those assurances appeared aimed at calming concerns raised by lawmakers from both parties over the scope of presidential authority and the risk of deeper U.S. involvement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong>Congressional Pushback and War Powers Debate<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While Republicans have largely backed Trump\u2019s aggressive posture in the Western Hemisphere, the Venezuela operation triggered renewed debate in Congress over war powers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Earlier this month, five Republicans joined all Democrats to advance a war powers resolution that would require the president to seek congressional authorization for further military action against Venezuela. The effort later stalled after two Republican senators voted against moving to a final vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Senator Todd Young of Indiana, a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, said he reversed his position after receiving assurances directly from Trump. Young said the president committed to coming to Congress for formal authorization if \u201cAmerican forces were needed in major military operations in Venezuela.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/US-Trump-Administration-Venezuela-operation.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1016\" height=\"601\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/US-Trump-Administration-Venezuela-operation.jpg?resize=1016%2C601&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"A photograph posted by U.S. President Donald Trump on his Truth Social account shows him sitting near U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth as CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Secretary of State Marco Rubio stand in front of a screen, as they watch the U.S. military operation in Venezuela from Trump's Mar a Lago resort, in Palm Beach, Florida\" class=\"wp-image-33467\" style=\"width:840px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/US-Trump-Administration-Venezuela-operation.jpg?resize=1024%2C606&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/US-Trump-Administration-Venezuela-operation.jpg?resize=300%2C178&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/US-Trump-Administration-Venezuela-operation.jpg?resize=768%2C454&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/US-Trump-Administration-Venezuela-operation.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1016px) 100vw, 1016px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><sup>A photograph posted by U.S. President Donald Trump on his Truth Social account shows him sitting near U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth as CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Secretary of State Marco Rubio stand in front of a screen, as they watch the U.S. military operation in Venezuela from Trump&#8217;s Mar a Lago resort, in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., on January 3, 2026. (Image Credit: Truth Social\/@realDonaldTrump)<\/sup><\/em><br><br><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><br><strong>Democratic Criticism Over Costs and Strategy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Democrats on the committee challenged Rubio\u2019s characterization of events and questioned the sustainability of U.S. policy. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, the committee\u2019s ranking member, said cooperation from Delcy Rodr\u00edguez, Maduro\u2019s deputy who is now serving as interim president, should not be taken at face value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She described that cooperation as \u201ctactical and temporary,\u201d noting that Rodr\u00edguez said over the weekend that she has had \u201cenough\u201d of taking orders from the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Shaheen also accused the administration of misplacing its priorities. \u201cFrom Venezuela to Europe, the United States is spending more, risking more, and achieving less,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAnd every day Americans are paying the price, both at the grocery store and in a more chaotic and less safe world. That does not project strength. It hands our adversaries exactly what they want.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong>Ongoing Strikes and Oil Questions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The U.S. has continued to conduct strikes against alleged drug-trafficking boats following Maduro\u2019s capture. Since September, at least 126 people have been killed in such operations, according to figures cited during the hearing. The most recent strike, carried out on Jan. 23, was the first since Maduro was detained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Questions have also intensified following Trump\u2019s public remarks about \u201crunning\u201d Venezuela and controlling its oil industry, raising uncertainty over the administration\u2019s long-term intentions for the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rubio rejected claims that the U.S. is seeking to occupy Venezuela or directly manage its resources, framing the actions instead as part of a law enforcement-driven effort to dismantle criminal networks.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">&quot;The only military presence you will see in Venezuela is our Marine guards at an embassy. That is our goal, that is our expectation, and that is what everything that outlines towards. That said, if an Iranian drone factory pops up and threatens our forces in the region, the\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/uTh9njjkGU\">pic.twitter.com\/uTh9njjkGU<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Department of State (@StateDept) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/StateDept\/status\/2016553968642437522?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 28, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p><br><br><strong>Hearing Highlights Broader Tensions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The hearing also briefly touched on unrelated foreign policy issues, including Trump\u2019s recent verbal misstep referring to Greenland as Iceland during a speech abroad. Rubio acknowledged the error, saying the president \u201cmeant to say Greenland\u201d and dismissing it as a verbal stumble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite sharp disagreements, the hearing underscored bipartisan concern over escalation risks and the absence of a clear timeline for Venezuela\u2019s political transition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As Rubio concluded his testimony, he reiterated that democracy remains the administration\u2019s stated objective, while making clear that Washington is prepared to apply pressure, including military force, if it believes U.S. interests or regional security are at stake.<br><br><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers that the Trump administration is prepared to use additional military force against Venezuela if its interim leadership fails to meet U.S. expectations, as he testified for the first time before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee since the removal of Maduro.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":33854,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[1,125],"tags":[358,6,294,5,21,71,113,747,702,7,19],"class_list":["post-33838","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-united-states","tag-americas","tag-defense","tag-latin-america","tag-military","tag-oil","tag-politics","tag-security","tag-south-america","tag-trump","tag-u-s","tag-venezuela"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/US-Secretary-of-State-Marco-Rubio.jpg?fit=690%2C370&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7jJWb-8NM","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33838","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=33838"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33838\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33856,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33838\/revisions\/33856"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/33854"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33838"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=33838"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=33838"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}