In a shift from earlier statements, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed on Sunday that the United States does not intend to take a governing role in Venezuela following the dramatic removal of President Nicolas Maduro. Rubio clarified that Washington's involvement would be limited to enforcing an “oil quarantine” on the country, following a high-stakes military operation that led to Maduro's capture. The clarification comes after Donald Trump’s bold claims about US control over Venezuela, which he made following the capture of Maduro on Saturday, January 3. Trump had stated that the US would take over Venezuela temporarily, focusing on exploiting its vast oil reserves to help other nations.
US captures Maduro
US forces removed Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, from their home at a Venezuelan military base in the middle of the night. Maduro was taken aboard a U.S. warship and flown to New York City, where he was detained. The US government claims that the operation was part of a broader initiative to fight drug trafficking, as both Maduro and his wife are facing charges related to narco-terrorism conspiracy.
The removal of Maduro was a significant escalation in the US government's ongoing pressure on the Venezuelan regime, which has faced increasing international isolation. The Trump administration has long refused to recognize Maduro as the legitimate president of Venezuela, claiming his government is corrupt and responsible for the country’s economic crisis.
